06/06/2026
This is a long one, friends, so Grab a snack, take a seat and buckle up, buttercup. I’ve have a few things to say.
When Paul and I started Stickybeaks, we had a vision. We weren’t opening just another flea market. We wanted to create a destination, a gathering place, and a community.
Our ideas didn’t always align, but somehow they always came together the way they were meant to. Time and again, the right people appeared at the right time ( if you know ya know), opportunities presented themselves, and things fell into place in ways neither of us could have planned.
We wanted Stickybeaks to feel different. We didn’t want people to simply walk in, shop, and leave. We wanted customers to feel welcome, vendors to feel valued, and everyone who walked through our doors to feel like they belonged and included. Trust me that’s not always as easy as Roxie makes it look.
I truly believe that big gray sofa has a little magic in it. Complete strangers would sit down and before long they’d be swapping stories, sharing laughs, solving the world’s problems, and leaving as friends. It became the heart of Stickybeaks and everything we hoped the store would be, a place where people could slow down, stay awhile, and feel at home. Most of all, we wanted our vendors to feel like Stickybeaks was their store too, a place where their success mattered.
Paul, Roxie and myself are incredibly proud of what Stickybeaks has become. It grew into everything we hoped for and more. It has been filled with laughter, friendships, wonderful memories, and a true sense of community.
We also created a unique brand that captured people’s attention from the moment they walked through the door. I can’t count the number of curious tourists who stopped in to ask about Ibis, the Roxie cutout, and the story behind the name. Sharing that story was always one of my favorite parts, and their reaction was almost always the same, they loved it. It wasn't just the store they connected with; it was the atmosphere, the creativity, and the experience.
Years ago, Roxie and I began a friendship that I value more than I could ever express. I truly love her and consider her my very best friend. Now, she has more friends than I do, so she may not consider me her very BFF 😂. But I’ll gladly take second place, behind only one person, because I love her too. Lol 😉
But seriously, we have been incredibly blessed to have her as part of our team and this journey. She has the best people skills I have ever seen, and a great deal of Stickybeaks' success can be credited to her gifts, talents, and ability to make everyone feel welcome.
I also want to take a moment to thank two very special friends, Bruce and Phil. From the very beginning, they have been daily supporters of Stickybeaks and have given more of their time, energy, and friendship than we could ever properly thank them for.
Whether helping customers, assisting vendors, carrying things, fixing things, answering questions, or simply being there when we needed them, they have been an important part of this journey and a big part of our success.
We love and appreciate both of them more than words can say.
Long before Stickybeaks, Roxie and I worked together on a social media project that was surprisingly successful for its time. It has been so much fun to bring that creative partnership back to life years later this time with “The Stickybeaks Flair”. Together, we built a social media presence that not only helped grow our brand but also entertained us and our followers along the way.👍🏻
I am also proud of the store’s success. Stickybeaks has been financially successful, providing opportunities for vendors, supporting local small businesses, and proving that our vision worked. While every business must be financially successful to survive, the true value of Stickybeaks has never been measured by dollars alone. Its greatest success has been the relationships built and the community created along the way.
When we took over the building, There were only a handful of vendors that remained. The property was neglected and in rough shape. The parking lot needed work, the building needed work, and there was even a rather large tree growing underneath the front porch. I had many customers tell me they had never stopped by because they thought the place had been abandoned.
Paul and I even disagreed about an opening date because I felt there was so much work to do. He designed an impressive floor plan with over a hundred rental spaces, and with the help of family and friends, we stripped walls, ripped up carpet, painted, cleaned, repaired, and built a entire flea market in just 14 days.
It was ambitious. It was exhausting. There were moments I wasn't sure I was going to survive it. 😂 But thanks to an incredible group of family and friends, we met our deadline and celebrated with an amazing Black Friday grand opening.
What made it even more exciting was that while we were still building, vendors were already streaming through the doors, choosing booth spaces from a floor plan drawn on a posterboard. All before many of the walls had even been assembled. By the time opening day arrived, nearly every space was full. I took that as a sign that Stickybeaks was going to be something special.
Another one of our goals from the very beginning was to give back to the community that supported us and our vendors. Through countless fundraisers, charitable efforts, and community events, Stickybeaks and its vendors have been able to support many causes and people throughout our area.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end... or maybe just “BEGIN” a new chapter. 😉
Due to circumstances beyond our control, and through no fault of our own, Stickybeaks will be closing its current location on July 31st
The short notice we received regarding the sale of the building left us with very little time to secure a new location and provide our vendors with adequate time to make arrangements. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to find a suitable new home for Stickybeaks within the limited timeframe provided. Should circumstances change, we will keep everyone informed and provide updates as they become available.
Over the past several days, we have spent a great deal of time in prayer and reflection. From the very beginning, we have seen God's hand guiding this journey, and we trust He is doing the same now.
Recently, an opportunity in Australia became available for Paul, an opportunity he previously set aside because Stickybeaks and our vendors were his priority. He is currently exploring that opportunity, and we may also take some time to travel and enjoy a few more adventures.
While this chapter of Stickybeaks is coming to a close, we believe another one will soon begin.
For all of the memories, friendships, support, and success, we will always be grateful. Stickybeaks has been more than a business, it has been our family, and an experience we will forever be proud of.
On behalf of Paul, Roxie, and myself, thank you.
We love and appreciate all of you more than words can express. Thank you for being part of our journey and our family.
We wish each of our vendors and the entire local reseller community the success you so richly deserve. We are grateful for every friendship, every memory, and every moment we've shared.
This isn’t goodbye….it’s simply see you later. ❤️
So stay tuned. I don’t believe The Stickybeaks story is over yet. 😉
The couch may be moving, but the friendships aren’t.
With all our love,
Stacey, Paul & Roxie
