Text, Photos and Video
By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Members of the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce attended a ribbon cutting for a new store downtown.

Kelly Jo Jost and David Jost, co-owner’s of Kelly Jo’s, held a ribbon cutting at 105 N. First St., Pierceton.

David said that Kelly Jo, his wife, has worked in retail for most of her life. She previously did consignment work out of their house.

Kelly Jo said her store started at the Shops at the Sanctuary in Columbia City. She and David shared they were friends with the previous storeowner at 105 N. First St.

“I just like the town, I like the small town vibe,” said Kelly Jo. “The people here are just so nice and welcoming. As soon as we bought the building, people were coming up and introducing themselves. We’ve made a lot of good friends here.”

Kelly Jo said she couldn’t have opened the store “without the good Lord above, my husband, my kids, family and friends.”

Dr. Susan Mort, a chiropractor in Pierceton, attended the ribbon cutting. “Welcome to Pierceton,” she said after David finished his speech welcoming the guests.

Kelly Jo’s logo, a butterfly, which was also included on merchandise for sale, is in honor of Kelly Jo’s mother. Kelly Jo said her mother died of ovarian cancer in 2004, and that before her mom died, she asked her mother to send her butterflies.

David also shared the walkability of downtown was a selling point. Kelly Jo added that before the store officially opened, she gave tours to people who were walking downtown and looked inside.

David said he and Kelly Jo hope to have the store for a long time.

“We’re really excited to have them here,” said Pierceton Chamber of Commerce President Kelsea DeGaetano. “(The Chamber have) known about them coming to town for a while. So there’s been a lot of buildup and anticipation.”

DeGaetano said Kelly Jo and David did a beautiful job with the space.

“I think it’s going to add a lot to the town,” she said. DeGateano added she was excited about the growth in Pierceton, including Kelly Jo’s.

Kelly Jo’s sells furniture, home decorations and clothing. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.