Small Town Girls Living Their Dream
Petra Keith and Jessica Harrelson, co-owners of Swank Coffee Shoppe and Handmade Market in Southern Pines. Hannah Sharpe
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John Evelyn, 17th-century English writer and diarist, once said, “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” For Petra Keith and Jessica Harrelson, co-owners of Swank Coffee Shoppe and Handmade Market in Southern Pines, this is true.
However, their thread may just be a bit more, well, swanky. Keith and Harrelson met as college students 13 years ago while waiting tables together at a chain restaurant in Durham. Now they are the kind of friends that can finish each other’s sentences — and they do.
At about the time that their paths crossed, Keith had just begun to explore the art of stained glass, and Harrelson had recently reacquainted herself with the “lost art” of knitting. Each inspired by the other’s passion to create and interest in learning new trades, the pair began to master new mediums and to travel around participating in art shows together.
“People would ask us, ‘Where is your store?’” Keith says.
Create Your Own
For years after college, Keith and Harrelson worked at their respective desk jobs, keeping their creativity and contentment on reserve for the evenings and weekends that they could dedicate to their crafts.
“Then we realized that sometimes you have to create your own opportunity,” says Harrelson. “We both had business, service, and food and beverage backgrounds. It was all sort of leading up. We decided that we were going to collaborate and do what we love.”
Hence, in 2007, the duo left their desks to follow their hearts. With the support of their families and friends, at a small location in downtown Southern Pines, Keith and Harrelson opened Swank and began to serve locally roasted coffee from Cactus Creek, and to make and sell chic, unique gifts and gadgets inspired by what Harrelson defines as the “handmade movement.”
“The idea is getting away from mass marketing,” she says. “It’s about remembering that you don’t have to go to Target for everything.”
Local Charm
In July, Swank relocated to its current location on Broad Street, where its bubbly owners beam friendly greetings to loyal customers and curious passersby alike. Its quirky drink menu includes various inside jokes and reflections of Keith and Harrelson’s friendship, such as house favorites “Banana Rumba,” their least favorite dessert to make when they waited tables together in college, and “Paddy and Bill,” one of their favorite bands in Fayetteville.
With almost 30 contributing local artists (including Keith and Harrelson), the women of Swank claim there is no telling what could be found in their shop next. From T-shirts featuring emblems quintessential of Southern Pines (such as bicycles and horses), to a mishmash of jewelry, magnets, greeting cards, stained glass, photography, fiber art, soaps, lip balms and “modern mommy” accessories, everything is handmade, homemade and Swank suitable.
“Swank is about shopping locally. We’re going for chic, cool and untraditional,” says Harrelson, who explains that even their furniture and light fixtures — thrift store treasures — add to the store’s overall synergy and ambience.
Keith adds that Swank appeals to an interesting spectrum of customers, and that it’s not just women who are doing their shopping there. She shares an anecdote from a day she was working at the store’s old location.
“There was a guy who had been sitting in there, drinking coffee. Another man walked in and picked up a pink apron we had for sale and said he’d like to buy it for his wife. Then the man who had been sitting there said he’d had his eye on it the entire time and was going to buy it for his own wife,” she says with laugh, “so I got to watch this discussion over which man was going to get the pink apron.”
It’s About People
The girls attribute much of Swank’s success and their personal happiness to the inspiring, soulful town of Southern Pines, which also happens to be where Keith grew up.
“Southern Pines is about people,” Keith says, “and I definitely feel like I have more quality in my life than I ever experienced in some of the bigger cities I’ve lived in, and there’s just as much to do.”
“There is a lot of culture here, and I think that really adds to its charm,” Harrelson adds.
Since Swank’s move to its current location, the extra space has allowed them to provide private laptop stations for customers and a place for intimate groups to meet up for coffee and conversation. They have also begun to host a range of art classes within the shop during weekend hours.
“We are not planning on getting stale,” Keith says. “We are always trying to learn more about our craft, expand what we do…” Harrelson eases in, as if on cue, to complete Keith’s sentence, “…and to learn more about the drinks that we serve.”
“We love coffee, and we love art,” Keith says, “and I think that shows because we try to aim for quality in both areas.”
Ashley Wahl is a local freelance writer.
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Comments
ericasony14 3 years, 2 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
TrueBlue6898 3 years, 2 months ago
Nobody said it was news... it's a feel good story. I for one think it's great to see local girls doing so well. If you are so annoyed then don't buy their coffee (which, according to my wife is really very good).
blessherheart 3 years, 2 months ago
What is wrong with you expat... i have yet to see you post anything positive about anything. Its one thing to post and gripe about the government, the police, healthcare reform etc. Those are all contentious subjects in todays world. How about leaving these ladies out of your vitriol! Geesh!
twolights 3 years, 2 months ago
^ Again - another person makes a ridiculous post on the internet. JEEZ! How is that even relevant? I say cheers to the local business owners. If you don't want to hear about it, I understand. But it IS news to others, like me.
I am a frequent long-time customer of SWANK and can attest to the value this store has brought to the county and to the town of Southern Pines. This story doesn't quite do them justice. Seems a bit too cutesy, and doesn't reflect what I've gathered about the owners the last couple of years. Aside from the obvious (that they are friends), they seem to have alot of integrity and a strong customer-centric focus.
jpimpson2 3 years, 2 months ago
Why do you express surprise at the minutiae in the spotlight, it's "The Pines", Grandma breaking her hip makes the front page. At any rate, kudos to Ashley Wahl for some fine journalism and a burgeoning talent.
wixie 3 years, 2 months ago
Expatriate I also have noticed you always have something negative to say, think maybe you need a enema!
jcinaberdeen 3 years, 2 months ago
I wish you two (the owners of SWANK) both the best of luck! I will have to come by and visit.
Wixie- I learned a little too late that expat has nothing better to do than to try and get people upset. It is his hobby to write negative things about no matter what. Don't bother even responding to him. Maybe the troll will go away if we ignore him.
foregolf 3 years, 2 months ago
these two women, as stated in the article, were employed full time with "desk jobs". Nowhere did the article state their marital status. So how, expatriate, can you justify the "bored housewife" remark? It is one thing to have an educated opinion, like if you have visited their establishment and had a positive or negative experience, and it is another to throw out insults that demean ones lively hood. What a small, insecure and depressing person you must be.
I, myself, have been to Swank with my daughter, and enjoyed the local culture that they provide as well as delicious beverages. Best of luck to anyone willing to take a chance on something that brings them happiness. Maybe expatriate will find something to do with his time that will actually bring him and others joy.
TheNeedle 3 years, 2 months ago
It is excellent coffee, I have to say.
girlfriday 3 years, 2 months ago
I go to Swank for coffee every morning and also bought a few items from their shop as gifts. They are two of the most genuine and nice people I have ever met. Also, Cactus Creek coffee, which is the brand they serve, in my opinion is the best coffee in the county...maybe even all of NC.
NCgirl 3 years, 2 months ago
@jcinaberdeen - I agree completely with you. Expat is just a waste of time.....I have also chosen to ignore him. His comments and posts aren't worth reading nor responding to. I hope others will realize this. If we stop giving him fuel maybe he'll putter out.
I haven't been to Swank yet, but I really like the concept of their store. I had no idea that they were selling handmade items, too, until I read this story. My kind of store!!!
JeneccaD 3 years, 2 months ago
Wowsa expatriate! Although I think your post is kinda funny, it's also rude. Why do you have to call then bored housewifes? They are two young women opening a small business in America! It's friggen awesome if you ask me. P.S. your cat picture is stooooopid
elguapo9 3 years, 2 months ago
It's a shame that Expat's douchbaggery had to start the comments on this great addition to the downtown SP scene. Unlike many of the downtown businesses, which are run by 'bored housewives', Jessica and Petra work hard on their shop and the effort shows.
stang 3 years, 2 months ago
@expartriate Do you have anything nice to say? Are you that unhappy with yourself?WOW, take some medication or better yet GET A LIFE! There is bound to be something in this world that will make you happy. I bet you are one lonely miserable person! Guess what, your make yourself look like and stupid FOOL!
JeneccaD 3 years, 2 months ago
@expatriate I read some of your past comments to see what all of the fuss was about. I must say you are one fascinating creature. A bit of a "Pilot celebrity" if you will, but your cat is still stoooooopid. Here kitty kitty kitty. AH ahahahaha
Poundman 3 years, 2 months ago
Your cats looks half dead, is Winston Churchill it's name? Maybe a friend of Jud Crandall and Gage?
Good Luck to Swank. I will say this though, the businesses in Southern Pines tend to keep hours non conducive to the working class. They open at 10 and close at 4, Tuesday through Saturday, hard for most working folks like me to make it down for cake and coffee.
JeneccaD 3 years, 2 months ago
@expatriate don't be depressed...drink a lot of beer and get drunk on St. Patrick's day. Then go home pet your stooopid cat, and sober up Thursday morning with a kick a** cup of coffee from Swanks! Honestly, let loose a little. If you always look for stuff to criticize, anyplace on earth would suck. P'hurst/So. Pines and even Aberdump arn't so bad. You and your throphy wife should move back here. So what if there are old grumpy people in Pinewild complaining about taxes. It's funny. Everything is funny. You are the most funny though...well you and that other guy who thinks he's a British American! I love it! I can't wait to see what else you guys post! You make me laugh. Say hi to your stoooopid cat for me.