Thursday, May 16, 2024
Gatesville High School alumni Margaret Burch has always tried to make an impact community. Through community service, she has continued the teachings of her grandmother to be kind. In honoring this special person in her life, Burch opened up a boutique and named it the Hummingbird Boutique since her grandmother loved hummingbirds. Burch wanted to have a piece of her associated with her new business.
The Hummingbird Boutique opened three years ago during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
“The store wasn’t in a good location”, she said “And when Covid happened, I had to convert to online sales only.” She needed to find the right building for the boutique, as she knew that it would take time and patience.
“I saw an opportunity to move forward my business. When the building became available on the square, I knew it was meant to be.” The building was unique in many ways but what caught her eye was the building was an early day post office of Gatesville in 1907.
In memory of the old post office, Burch hung up a framed photo from when it first opened, in the front of the store.
The building was purchased, and renovations got underway. For a month, she worked all day painting the walls, floors, and building the pallet walls. With the help of her husband, Johnny and others, the boutique was ready for business.
The Hummingbird Boutique’s grand opening was held on Saturday, Feb. 4. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony along with the boutique being inducted into the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce.
The Hummingbird Boutique currently houses various vendors. “I have 22 vendors in the store as of right now,” she said.
One of those vendors is Tasha McGehee. McGehee provides the bakery with cinnamon rolls and other baked treats such as cookies, brownies, cheesecake, cupcakes, and even homemade rice crispy treats. There is a donation-based coffee bar that is set up next to the bakery where one can enjoy something to go with your sweet treat. Donations are used to restock the coffee products.
The store’s sole employee is store manager, Cambreah Byford, who spends around 40 plus hours a week making sure the store runs smoothly. Once vendors drop off their items during the day, she verifies all the items are sized and priced accordingly before anything is displayed.
Burch said the biggest challenge she faces is trying to please everyone. She takes the time to inform her customers on what she might put in the store on the business Facebook page, and customers give feedback on what is appealing to them.
“Social media has been a major factor in the uprising of my business,” she said. “I interact with customers and get their input, which helps me choose the items I put in the store.”
The biggest struggle of owning a business is providing customer satisfaction. She said it isn’t easy to find the “perfect product,” but she attempts to do this for her customers. When searching for new items, her first thought is the price and whether it will be within a reasonable cost. She makes sure her products are affordable and hopes there is something for everyone at her store.
Burch plans to expand her presence on the square, she hopes to own five more buildings. “I think it would be a great addition to the square to open an arcade for children on the streets,” she said, “A soup and deli shop would be nice to have as well.”
“As I have struggled through the years, I have finally reached a point in my life where I know my heart is full,” Burch said.
