Hoping to be lucky in Warren, woman opens a local shop

Just about every seasonal theme is represented in the gift shop.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The owner of a new Courthouse Square gift shop hopes the ladybugs in the store's name will fulfill for her -- and her customers -- the prospect of good luck associated with these insects.
That Ladybugs Me! is the name of a gift shop specializing in holiday gift items that opened Nov. 28 in leased space, a former clothing store at 168 N. Park Ave. across from the restored 1895-vintage Trumbull County Courthouse.
Owner Barbara Lucente said she opened her business in a century-old building because of downtown's quaint historic atmosphere and charm.
Downtown Warren is "like a little Norman Rockwell place, and I think it kind of fits my gift boutique here," she observed. "It's beautiful old buildings," she said of downtown's architecture.
Being a part of it
"I just see that they're doing so much work down here, and I'm hoping that it takes off, and that I can be a part of that," Lucente said, referring to the downtown revitalization efforts of city officials and business leaders. "I'm having a lot of repeat customers already."
Her gift shop is nestled conveniently among jewelry and men's clothing stores, and other specialty shops across from the park that surrounds the courthouse. "More businesses down here would be a great thing for everybody," she said.
The ladybug-theme storefront is long and narrow and might easily be missed if one blinks while driving by. All of Lucente's floral designs feature ladybugs -- symbols of good luck.
The gift shop features interior and floral designs, gifts and gift baskets and Gorant chocolates, and will add balloons before Valentine's Day. Birthday-theme balloons will also be available.
The business, which gets substantial lunch-hour walk-in traffic from downtown workers, also makes hospital and home deliveries. Events at the nearby Comfort Inn also bring in customers.
When it's open
The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Lucente said she plans to adjust her hours during special downtown public events. Delivery is free for orders over $25 anywhere in the Youngstown-Warren area.
Lucente, a native of Leavittsburg who lives in Austintown, has decorated interiors of many of the new homes that were featured in the Home Builders Association's annual Parade of Homes in Poland, Austintown and Canfield. Her father, a carpenter, did considerable remodeling work in downtown Warren buildings in downtown's heyday, she said.
The carpeted former women's clothing store, with its chandeliers, mirrors and built-in clothing niches, cubbyholes and storage drawers, lends itself well to its new use as a gift shop. Birthday-theme gifts, handmade soaps and scented candles are among the items displayed in the cubbyholes.
Merchandise
One section of the store is dedicated to hand-decorated picture frames featuring ladybugs. Piggy banks, planters, coffee mugs, plates, candles, Valentine candies and stuffed animals that play music also bear the ladybug theme. Several flavors of gourmet hot chocolates are also offered.
With the clothing racks having been replaced by glass shelves, each niche has a featured theme. Special niches are devoted to Gorant chocolates, angels, gifts for newborns, gifts with a ladybug theme and Valentine's Day hearts and picture frames. Ladybug-theme Valentine's Day gift items are in stock, and Valentine gift baskets and balloons will be featured.
Nutcrackers and other discounted Christmas merchandise adorns prominently positioned tables. Late last year, Lucente supplied a large Italian-theme Christmas gift basket order for a corporation. She also decorates private homes for Christmas.
Lucente also plans to offer seasonal theme merchandise for Easter, Mother's Day, Sweetest Day and Halloween. She also has done well with cruise baskets used as bon voyage gifts.
Among the more unusual items in the shop are scented animal figures hand-dipped in wax and oils. The same supplier made holiday-scented Santas and snowmen. "If the scent starts fading, you just take a blow-dryer and heat it up and the scent comes right back," Lucente explained.
milliken@vindy.com