12
december
vernonia’s
voice local business
2007
Making Spirits Bright
By Evangeline Doyle
If you’re looking for a little holi-
day cheer, you don’t have to go
very far, just head downtown
Vernonia to Buckleberry Cot-
tage and Out on a Limb. There
your Christmas treasures await
you, along with piping hot Was-
sail, holiday treats – and shop
owners ready to make this holi-
day time special for you.
The owners, Rietta Behnke and
Sharon Bernal, even make it easy on husbands this time of year
– they do the shopping for you! Well almost. They can certainly
assist with your selections, but unique to the shop is their “Wish
List” service. Ladies come in and fill out their “wish lists” for
Christmas; making shopping easier than ever for their husbands.
Many locals know the shop as Buckleberry, Buckleberry Cottage
or just Out on a Limb, but in fact it’s two shops in one business lo-
cation. The two have done such a great job of sharing the space
that most don’t realize they are visiting two shops at once.
The result of this combined space is an inter-
esting blend of country romance meets city
sparkle with a dash of shabby chic. Rietta
Behnke, recently quoted in Country Business
Magazine, says “there are many definitions for
romantic style, but the one she likes the best
is not quite real.” Romance should be special,
not your everyday occurrence – otherwise it
wouldn’t evoke that special, not quite real feel-
ing in us.
Rietta Behnke has been in business since No-
vember of 2000. Her business sign for Buckle-
berry Cottage, a giant red teapot, is a Vernonia
landmark. “Taking tea is another romantic
thing,” says Rietta, “a time to stop, relax
and visit with friends.” She began serv-
ing complimentary tea to customers in
2000 and has offered teas for sale ever
since.
Out on a Limb has done business in Ver-
nonia since 2001, the name came from
Sharon’s idea to take a risk and do some-
thing she’d always dreamed of – owning
a gift and decorations shop.
Behnke and Bernal began sharing their
Bridge Street location in 2005, and have
been on a roll since. Together they de-
cided to do a twist on the traditional
“Ladies Night.” On the second Thurs-
day of each month, they stay open until
8 p.m. offering women an opportunity
to visit, eat, shop and have fun. Rietta
says Sharon is the marketing wiz – the
creative behind their often hysterical
Ladies Night postcard mailings. Reitta
laughs, “my grandson often sees the postcards and says, ‘what’s wrong with
Grandma Rietta?’”
To sign up for Ladies Night
postcard mailings, or to learn
more about their Wish List
service, visit Buckleberry
Cottage and Out on a Limb
at 919 Bridge Street. Open
holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30
p.m. Wednesday through
Saturday and Sunday from
noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mon-
day and Tuesdays. Also open
Christmas Eve until 5 p.m.
New, used & handmade items for children and their families
The Clever Cricket
w toy
Our ne ment
ship re!
is he
Buckleberry Cottage
and
Out on a Limb
s
HOLIDAY
SPECIAL!
All puzzles,
games, &
di-cast cars,
buy 1, get 1
half off!
Holiday Hours:
Wed. to Sat. 10am to 6pm
Sat. 12pm to 5pm
Ladies - make it easy for
husbands to complete
their Christmas shopping.
Fill out your Wish List at
the shop today!
Open Christmas Eve until
5:00 pm
ber!)
m
e
c
f De
(all o
503-429-5049
Closed Dec. 25 - 28
Returning Dec. 29
ring 503.429.0706
Merry Christmas!
And thank you for a fabulous year!
SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS!
728 Madison Avenue Vernonia, Oregon, 97064