A new gift shop has opened on the north end of Mercer Island, in the former Pacific Northwest Ticket Service building. Nancy Meade’s goal was to open Terra Bella by Summer Celebration. Her shop opened on that Saturday, July 13.
Terra Bella moved out of its Old Main Street location in Bellevue at the end of May to make way for the construction of a 258-unit apartment and retail complex.
Meade’s sister, Sharon Roth, owns a clothing store, Jarbo, across the street. At one time, their businesses were next to each other. Roth is also an Island resident, but spends a lot of time in L.A.
Meade found the new Island location by word-of-mouth, just three weeks ago. At 800 square feet, it is considerably larger than the shop’s former location.
Many Island residents had been begging her to move the shop to the Island, Meade said. The Island had a need for a gift shop.
Terra Bella offers home decor, accessories and gifts, from imported fine Italian linens and fair trade scarves to Sid Dickens memory blocks and digitized gift cards of daughter Julia Meade’s oil paintings and other artwork. Other items include artisan ceramic bowls from New York City and Hudson Beach glassware. Judaica is also available with a selection of MetalaceArt items, the “art of lace on metal,” by Israeli artist Talila Abraham.
The name means “beautiful earth” in Italian. Meade had once owned a container gardens business, and operated a linen and gift business out of her Island home starting 13 years ago. Holding fundraisers for various local organizations continues, as the shop supports Mercer Island schools, sports teams, preschools, churches and other charitable organizations such as Children’s Hospital and Bellevue Lifespring.
“I really started on Mercer Island in my home, and now we’re back here,” she said.
Thursday was Meade’s first day in the shop, as she had spent over a week at a buyers’ event in Atlanta.
“Friends, family and my husband worked so hard and opened for Summer Celebration,” she said. “People are really excited that we’re here.”
The boutique is also featuring a local artist each month. Susan Bethke’s paintings are currently on display and available for purchase.
“Just having a business in my own community is really satisfying,” Meade said, adding that this is a supportive community.
A grand opening is being planned for the near future.
Terra Bella’s new address is 2864 77th Ave. S.E. The shop can be reached at (425) 818-2285 or www.terrabellagifts.com.
