Copper Pig celebrate five years in the community
The opening of The Copper Pig gift shop in June 2006 preceded Dunwoody’s cityhood by 18 months. But there couldn’t be a better example of the hometown atmosphere envisioned by those who worked so hard to create the new city.
The Copper Pig owner, Lisa Molen, has lived in Dunwoody for 30 years. For several years, she and a friend operated a seasonal gift shop out of her basement. Five years ago, she decided to broaden that concept.
“I wanted [a shop] to be a gathering place,” Molen said. “I have friends who are artists who wanted to sell [their wares] but didn’t have other outlets. I wanted a place where someone can get away [from the house] without going to the mall; [a place] for classes.” Molen staffed The Copper Pig, which celebrates its fifth anniversary on June 22, with longtime friends, who are her Dunwoody neighbors.
Molen learned about the gift business when she ran a Christmas “secret shopper” fundraiser at her children’s school, Holy Innocents Episcopal School, for several years. To find items suitable for students to purchase as holiday gifts for their families, she shopped at wholesale gift markets. When Molen and her friend started their home-based seasonal gift shows, she expanded her merchandise to include home accessories, hostess gifts, furniture and food items, among other offerings.
