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Here in Thurston County we are fortunate to have a thriving community of small business owners who support one another. With the help of seasoned businesses, new ones are able to succeed and become part of a growing community.

The Sweetest Things Miss Moffits Mystical Cupcakes
Find a great selection of gluten free and vegan goodies by Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes. Photo credit: Stephani Hemness

At The Sweetest Things, owner Jeff Gibson has taken that community support to another level. He opened the Lacey gift boutique in September 2017 with the mission to empower women in business and the community. And they do that by selling items made locally by women owned businesses.

“I realized nobody in town has a business that’s geared toward supporting women in business,” Jeff explains. “Feminism and female empowerment is always something that’s been important to me, and I wanted to try to figure out how to integrate that.”

One such women-owned business partnership is with Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes, which are sold at the shop. Jeff met Rachel Young, Miss Moffett’s owner, at a networking event, and eventually joined her team. “I worked with her for about year and a half, that’s when we started growing a friendship,” Jeff shares. Their cupcakes have been sold in that same location for over two years. But then the previous owners, a florist shop, moved out. That’s when Jeff took over the business, keeping Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes but transforming it into something new.

The Sweetest Things also sell other treats and food products by Peace, Love & Raw, Tasteful Joy, Ila’s Foods, and Macarons by Mel. And everything is gluten free, so customers with sensitivities need not worry. The shop also features tea and coffee, and a cozy seating area for guests to relax in. The space can also be rented for private events, workshops, and parties.  “People can come here, hang out, have a cup of tea and a sweet snack, but there are also lots of other businesses that they’re going to be able to support,” says Jeff.

The Sweetest Things Kara Lynn tee
A “Flawsome” shirt by the Kara Lynn Foundation, benefitting youth with epilepsy. Photo credit: Stephani Hemness

The shop sells products from 18 different women-owned businesses. Apparel, wellness products, art, and other gift items fill the shelves. You will also find female-authored books, and a collection of F-rated movies. An F rating, Jeff explains, is given to a film that is either written and or directed by a woman. And if it also features a significant female cast, it can get a triple F rating.

Even the music that’s played in the shop is by mostly female artists. “I’ve always been more interested in women musicians, my taste kind of leans that way,” Jeff says.

The Sweetest Things also has a small section of unique, Pacific Northwest-themed items for sale.  “What’s important is getting stuff in here that’s different and you don’t necessarily see everywhere else around town,” Jeff says, “And it has something that speaks to them.”

Katie Harmon, artist and owner of PinkPolish Design, sees great success in vending her work at the Sweetest Things. “This was an especially good fit as a good portion of my illustrations feature a female protagonist,” shares Katie, who sells prints, cards, magnets, and other affordable gift items. “I’m very passionate about making art accessible,” she adds. “Although online orders are great, having a space where people can pick up and see the artwork or merchandise in person makes the experience so much more personal.”

Every month, Jeff has partnered with a different organization that benefits women in some way. In May, he partnered with the Kara Lynn Foundation, a nonprofit benefiting youth with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The Sweetest Things sells Kara’s apparel and bath bombs made especially for people with epilepsy. “It was such a success that she wanted to keep her products here to help continuously raise money,” Jeff says proudly.

The Sweetest Things Jeff Gibson
Business owner Jeff Gibson at the counter at the Sweetest Things. Photo credit: Stephani Hemness

For Jeff, he finds himself wanting to support those that he naturally surrounds himself with, which more often than not, is women in business. Like his wife, owner of Shanna Paxton Photography. But don’t let his male gender mislead you. “To me, empowering women and feminism is not something that should be on the shoulders of women only,” he shares. “That is something that we should all be doing together.”

In just 10 months, The Sweetest Things has grown and developed 18 local business partnerships, and that number is likely to grow. And now women in business and the community have a new space to feel empowered, inspired, and connected.

For more information, visit The Sweetest Things website or stop by the shop.

The Sweetest Things
730 Sleater Kinney Road Southeast, Ste E, Lacey
360-489-0407
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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