Lisa Street discovered her passion for creating handmade decor when she was just 8 years old, in her grandmother’s basement. She recalls collecting pinecones all summer and fall and they’d hand-wire each of them into a wreath for the holidays. Her passion has never left.
So in the late ’80s, she opened her own gift shop/decorating studio, Squirrel Haven, on Bountiful’s Main Street. She loved it, but when downtown underwent a major reconstruction and Main Street was closed for a few months, several stores closed with it, including hers.
“I left to go into real estate full time,” she says. “I began selling homes, but also continued to make wreaths, particularly for the homes I’d sold. I have a degree in interior design and have always loved playing with colors and materials. People loved the wreaths and asked where they could get them for other professionals that they wanted to give a gift that was uniquely designed and handmade.”
She opened up her own Etsy stop seven years ago (lisastreetdesigns.etsy.com), and it’s done well. Last August, a friend of hers asked if she wanted to go in with her on a pop-up boutique for part of Bountiful’s Sideway Days, and again they got a wonderful reception. Now, both Street and her artist friend Kim Byrd (studioart_25) are still on Main Street with a small shop just a few yards away from where Street’s original store once stood. It’s part of the John Hepworth property — he is Byrd’s father.
“We decided we’d keep the business open at least through Halloween, but customers kept coming, so that extended into the holidays, and how we’re still here,” Street said. The business doesn’t have a name on the building, but it’s easily identifiable by the bright red door, and neither Street or Byrd know if they will remain there permanently. For now, customers are still coming in.
“People were receptive to Kim’s artwork and my customwork and we expanded it to include Lahna’s Chocolates, also created here in Bountiful, and sell them in store,” she said. Inside, customers can find seasonal decor for front doors, framed art of Byrd’s originals in a variety of sizes, seasonal centerpieces, gift cards, a display of Lahna’s Chocolates, and a wall of ribbon so customers can choose their own patterns and colors. There’s also a photo opp spot with different backgrounds so customers can take photos for the seasons.
Street is now planning and designing items around Easter. Her creations are always posted on her Etsy site and then moved into the store later. Their business is open three days a week (Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Fridays/Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or by appointment.
“We can do custom jobs for any customer,” Street said. “We’re the perfect place to pick up a quick gift, and we take pride in wrapping everything. We love people who just wander in and find something they like. Kim and I love what we do.”