Celebrating 25 years
A downtown Willows gift shop celebrates an important milestone this week with its 25th anniversary.
The staff of 76 Joy Street marked the occasion with an open house Wednesday evening promoting women in business with a Willows Area Chamber of Commerce mixer.
Owner Shiela Etchepare noted her late mother Patsy Enos started the shop in 1984 after her children were grown, and it bloomed from there.
Naturally, Etchepare was at her mother’s side through the years, she said, but Enos left her mark on the store and community.
“This town is peppered with charming, charismatic businesswomen, young and older who have the same kind of moxie she had,” Etchepare said.
It would make her happy, which is why Etchepare wanted to celebrate women in business at the party.
Enos died of cancer in January, and Etchepare admits it has been difficult adjusting to doing business without her.
However, she could not miss the opportunity to observe the anniversary as that is something her mother would have wanted, Etchepare said.
Enos always celebrated her home and family, and the shop was an extension of that since it became a second home to her, the daughter said, and its merchandise reflects that commitment.
“She had faith in the community and believed it would appreciate what she had to offer,” Etchepare said, and indeed, it has through the decades.
