Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Monday for Belove Gift Shop. Pictured are Scott Allison, Chamber ambassador, W.R. Hall Insurance; Andrew Wade, Chamber ambassador, Lake City Bank; Brandon Stewart, Edward Jones, Chamber ambassador; Alex Sanchez, Clear Vision Media, Chamber ambassador; Brittany Lyon, Chamber ambassador, Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice; Rob Parker, Chamber president and CEO; Luke Wright, MudLOVE; Whitney Wright, MudLOVE; Athena Deck, Belove Gift Shop manager; Heather Lardino, Chamber ambassador, 1st Source Bank; Jill Boggs, Kosciusko Visitors Bureau, Chamber ambassador; Carmen Florez, Chamber ambassador, Foundational Apparel by Ruby Ribbon; Doug Hanes, Chamber ambassador, 1st Source Bank; Dawn Jaggers, Chamber ambassador, American Family Insurance; and Scott Wiley, Chamber member relations manager. Photo by Jackie Gorski.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE – Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Belove Gift Shop, 801 E. Canal St., Winona Lake, Monday.

The shop was originally opened in 2013 by owners Luke and Whitney Wright after their marriage the year earlier. They merged their businesses, MudLOVE and Bel Kai, to create Belove, according to a provided news release.

Bel Kai is Whitney’s jewelry business and MudLOVE is Luke’s ceramics business, Whitney said. 

Belove was previously located in a small garage space in The Village at Winona, Whitney said.

Monday was the first day Belove was open at its Canal Street location.

Luke said it’s an expansion, more so than a new shop. Whitney said they’ve tripled their size by moving to the new location.

Belove sells various items, including jewelry, coffee, fresh cookies and stationary. 

Belove gives 5% of every sale back to the community.

Since 2016, Belove has contributed more than $42,000 to global and local needs. In 2017, the giving focus changed to create a positive impact in the Kosciusko County community. Belove has been able to give to Fellowship Missions, Raise the Dough, Beaman Home, Mentone Elementary Special Needs Class, Jefferson Elementary, Spoonful of Imagination, Design Outreach, Kate’s Kart in memory of Ezra Verhage, Room at the Table (a ministry of WLGBC giving basic needed items to foster parents) and the Head Start Program, a division of Cardinal Center, according to the news release.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday.