in helping.” They make sure to stay flexible and ready to work with customers in a variety of ways. “We are all about constantly learning, sharing, and creating the space for people at all skill levels to be comfortable,” she says. “Customers are free to engage us in any way that helps them. For some, that means helping select fabrics. For others, it means trying a new type of pattern…” Taylor is full of gratitude from the support of her customers who chose to support small businesses like hers. In order to give back herself, Taylor and her team joined together for the Beyond Ourselves Quilts for Kids project. Taylor donated longarm quilting for 10 quilters to make quilts for one or more local organizations this November. Participants received a free bag of scraps to get started. Sewlovelee’s 7th anniversary celebration will be held October 12-16, 2021. The event will feature an outdoor customer quilt show and live music. Last year, Taylor displayed 42 original quilts created by Sewlovelee customers, which she says she’ll work to do again this year. Visit Sewlovelee at 4504 Irvington Road Irvington, VA 22480 or online at www.sewlovelee.com. Grow with Me Melissa Burke’s great grandmother always had her in the garden, planting flowers, and anywhere else her hands could touch the soil. “She taught me about living off the land,” says Burke, owner of Grow NNK in Kilmarnock. Her love for plants and family is woven into every aspect of her “house of zen” on Main Street. She sells a variety of CBD products created with hemp grown by her brother and cousins in Beaverdam, where she grew up. “I wanted to offer something positive for everybody,” she says. The Grow NNK plant bar welcomes children and adults alike to creation their own terrarium or zen garden. Guests start by choosing an orb or glass vase, then an air plant or waterbased algae ball. They can customize the terrarium with healing crystals, figurines, and more. The big kids can
Melissa Burke, owner of Grow NNK
enjoy wine or beer while they create, too. “It’s like art therapy,” she says. “You get to be creative, choose how you want to decorate the vase.” Along the way, Burke educates guests about plant care and more. When it comes to CBD, Burke also educates her customers thoroughly. The top three reasons people seek out CBD products are for pain relief (often related to arthritis), as a sleep aid, and stress reduction. “Some people are first time users, some people have tried it and are looking for a really good quality product,” she says. “CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory and can relieve muscle and joint pain naturally. A lot of people struggle with sleep problems so the CBD really helps. Stress and anxiety relief are probably the most popular problems CBD is used to help.” Her offering of salves is especially helpful for pain relief, she says. Her collection of salves and tinctures will soon grow. She’s ready to welcome an expanding line of CBD products that will include serums, lotions, cleansers and more. Some will be infused with CBD and others will not. Her store is located On South Main Street, so she
says she’s excited to fill a void with more skincare and beauty offerings for the community and travelers alike. Some made by her cousin Bonnie Flagg will incorporate CBD, some of them won’t. Her newly launched website features all of these products and she has customers around the country. Grow NNK brings a bit of Lancaster all around the country. Burke will celebrate her one-year business anniversary June 18. The community of Lancaster has supported her vision and her family along the way. “I love the laid back slow pace,” she says. “It’s a great place to raise children, stay safe, and feel connected with the water around me...it’s up and coming and more young people and families are sticking around.” Beyond her plants and wellness collection, Grow NNK is a one-stop gift shop for anyone on your list. Burke carries salt lamps, jewelry, hand blown jellyfish, local copper art, watercolor paintings, and macrame plant hangers that all bring an artistic feel to the shop. Visit Grow NNK at 82 South Main Street, Kilmarnock 22482 or online at www.grownnk.com.
www.lancasterva.com
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