Tissue, Toulle & Trial Runs: Our First Days Open

The doors are open (sort of), the lights are on, and the shelves are filled (so we need more… considering the size of our storage space). *The stuff starts coming and it don't stop coming!* Our first couple of days of soft opening have been a mix of nervousness, excitement, and improvisation, certainly the way small business beginnings usually go.

We’ve loved meeting our retail and resident neighbors, welcoming new faces, and greeting curious wanderers who popped in just to see what’s happening. Every kind word and “welcome to the Village” has been a joy to hear.

Behind the counter, though? It’s a bit of a gamble. There’s about a 50/50 chance a product is actually in the system. If not, we’re going old-school with handwritten notes, little white price stickers, and quick math. Nothing’s perfect, but it’s working (mostly).

The sweetest moment? Today’s quiet lull, folding tissue paper alongside my husband while he stuffed gift bags with toulle and tissue - the unofficial soundtrack of our first days.

When customers ask about toulle, I explain it’s just like ribbon, only more forgiving. And maybe there’s a lesson in that: the start of something new doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be wrapped with intention and a little bit of grace.

If we were crawling before, we are walking now. So here’s to our first steps. A little messy, a little scrappy, but filled with good neighbors, kind words, and lots of toulle. Can't wait to run.

- The Jonquies Team