Brook Brown, Denise Stewart and Sherry Mitchell have been attending craft shows for years, always discussing how great it would be to offer a store of unique gifts.

Next week, what was once just a passing idea will become a reality for the three owners.

With more than 25 vendors from around the Triangle area, Honeybeez & Co. has already shown promise. Friends and family got a sneak peek Aug. 15 of what the store has to offer from handmade jewelry to wedding gift ideas to metal sculptures.

“It couldn’t have gone any better,” Stewart said of the sneak peek where the owners saw a tremendous amount of business.

All three owners have a strong tie to Garner and thought the town needed a gift shop. Brown and Mitchell are long-time Garner residents, while Stewart’s husband is originally from Garner.

Mitchell’s daughter, Kate, who is making bracelets to sell in the store, inspired the name of the store. Her grandfather calls her his honeybee. Mitchell loved the name and it added the ‘z’ at the end to signify the three owners. Stewart wanted the vendors to feel like they were part of a company, so it was added into the store’s name.

A blessing from God

Although the economy isn’t at it’s best, the Honeybeez are staying positive about their business endeavor. With the holidays just around the corner, Brown said it is a great time to open the store.

“We feel positive about it,” Stewart said.

And with most of their gifts priced at $45 or less, they are sure sneak peek’s success is just the beginning.

However, the women said the store’s opening wouldn’t have been possible without the support of friends, family, volunteers and God.

“If it wasn’t for that, we couldn’t do it,” Brown said.

Mitchell said the Honeybeez feel that God has blessed their efforts. Behind the register is a wall hanging with Romans 12:6 printed on it. The verse acknowledges the many different gifts given by God.

The store will also reach out into the community with different events throughout the year. On Sept. 26, the store will hold a sidewalk craft show and sell paper sneakers for the Juvenile Diabeties Research Foundation. Other events will benefit the Trojan Club and Garner’s Relay for Life.

The store will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Saturday. Honeybeez & Co. is located in the Garner TV & Appliances building at 889 Hwy 70 W in Garner.