Six years after opening a home decor, jewelry and gift shop known as the Mustard Seed in East Brainerd, Susan Southerland will mark the addition of her newest outlet in Red Bank Saturday with a ribbon-cutting for her new 3,700-square-foot store at 2248 Dayton Blvd.
The new store, in renovated space that once housed the White Oak Pharmacy, White Oak Hardware and a music store, will be the second Mustard Seed location and has already been “very well received” since it initially had a soft opening three weeks ago, Southerland said.
“Many of our customers have mentioned being in this building as children when it was a general store years ago or they visited the music store years later and recognize the stickers on the door,” Southerland said in an announcement of the newest Mustard Seed store. ” They’ve loved seeing the renovation of the building, and I think it’s made them happy to see new life here.”
The store carries old and new products and features European and American vintage and antique items as well as a Mustard Seed line of jewelry and other specialty items.
Southerland said the name of the store, the Mustard Seed, comes from her favorite Bible verse (Matthew 17:20), which says that with faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible. As a breast cancer survivor, Southerland said that has become her life’s motto.
The first Mustard Seed Store opened in East Brainerd in April of 2016, and Southerland later moved that store to the current Riverview location on Hanover Street, which is still in operation.
As a resident of Red Bank for 21 years, Southerland said she decided to open another store in her hometown in the vacant building erected in 1947, which she has restored to feature its exposed rafters and original wood floors while partially uncovering a Coca-Cola mural on an interior wall.
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“We’re just so excited to join the history of the building and to join the amazing Red Bank business community – especially the wonderful antique and vintage stores that are a part of Dayton Boulevard,” Southerland said.
Within the store, more than 15 vendors stock their booths with everything from one-of-a-kind pieces of antique furniture, artwork and lighting to completely unique treasures and decor items. The store also features clothing and accessories, baby items and locally made goods.
“To me, the Mustard Seed is more than a store,” said Southerland said. “It has been my life’s passion, a place of comfort, and the source of so much great fellowship. Hopefully, it can be that for our customers as well.”
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– Compiled by Dave Flessner