In the last two editions, I reviewed some best practices for being prepared for life’s challenges with life insurance and funeral preplanning. This week, I stopped by the Herb Cottage where I met Eddie and Susie Yelverton.
The Herb Cottage – 1421 Allen Ferry Road Smithville
I have passed this little gem several times and been meaning to stop as I am into all the natural remedies for colds, enjoy local honey when I can get it, and they even have hand-made soap. When I went looking for it Thursday, I had to use my best friend, OK Google, to get there as they are just out of town. They have the best of both worlds being close by for customers but have the atmosphere of a country cottage. Susie says she not only gets a lot of locals but folks come from Murfreesboro and Lebanon, even. Her claim to fame is simple … word of mouth.
I met Eddie first as he was holding down a yard chair out front and when I asked him about the shop, he directed me to Susie for further inquiry. Seems Eddie was the person to speak with if I wanted a goat as that’s his end of the business arrangement. Not needing a goat at this time, I checked out the Herb Cottage and it was awesome.
“I’ve been doing this for so long now, I have built up my expertise over the years,” she said. “I am a life-long student always learning something new.”
Once inside the quaint cottage, I was in my element as it looked like a shop from Harry Potter with lots of potions, charms, jewelry, vitamins, teas, oils, extracts, soaps and more, all arranged so you could shop and smell the flowers (or extract thereto). It was a shopping and sniffing cornucopia of Nature’s finest delights.
Susie has been in the biz for over 20 years and knows just what to get for what ails you. I picked up some zinc lozenges – great for staving off colds – some honey candy, some home-made spice soap and an Easter egg for one of the grandkids that hatches after a few days in water.
Of course I told my wife the goodies were for her, but can’t wait to use the spice soap.
WatchGang –www.watchgang.com
I do most of my shopping locally and at flea markets, Goodwill and the Serenity House as I’m always looking for a bargain and don’t like to wait for stuff in the mail with a few exceptions. I’m a fan of the item of the month clubs ever since I was a kid and joined the Columbia record and tape club.
The way it worked was for $.99 you got your pick of 10 records or 12 cassettes with the obligation to purchase two more at club pricing (around $15 at the time) during the year. Records and tapes have pretty much gone the way of the Do-Do but there are so many more options these days.
Watchgang has four tiers, Original, Black, Centum and Platinum ranging from $29.99 plus shipping on up. Each month, using bulk discounts, they send you a watch worth more than what you pay. I started with the Original and for my $29.99 or about $40 after shipping, I received a Pulsar Chronograph for my September delivery. I was very pleased and it’s kind of like giving yourself a present each month as you don’t know until you open it what you’ve got.
I check the mailbox like a kid on Christmas morning. They have surprise upgrades and a couple lucky members even get a Rolex.
Well, that’s it for now. Next week I will share my best coffee-buying tips with you and another local business so stay tuned. Email me with any breaking business news@smithvillereview.com.
