Find unique, one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly goods at LEARKE, a small shop with lots to offer in Historic Downtown Easton.
Molly Godfrey
Owner
Tell us about your journey to opening LEARKE in 2019!
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to have my own business. Over the years, the type of business venture varied in my mind, but the desire to have a business to call my own never faded. LEARKE, pronounced L-A-R-K, is a portmanteau of our children's names. The business began on a whim when a beautiful space became available in the Historic District of Easton, hence the pronunciation of LEARKE. Thankfully there wasn't much time to think about what I was doing, so I dove right in and figured it out! With no retail history or guidance as to how to even run a store, the shop somehow came together.
Describe the range of offerings available at the shop.
LEARKE is just under 400 square feet. Although tiny, I've managed to fit as much as possible into the space. Curating the merchandise is something I truly love and it gives the shop such a great atmosphere. The range of offerings is vast; my goal is for anyone to walk into the shop and find something they love for a price they can afford. At LEARKE, we carry plants, home goods, kitchenware, bags, accessories, jewelry, record players, cards, stationery and more!
A lot of what you offer is one-of-a-kind and handmade. Tell us the importance of that!
Upon opening LEARKE, it was imperative to reflect on what is important and how the shop can be set apart from other similar stores. First and foremost, LEARKE is a place for anyone and everyone. Being that each of us is so beautifully unique, it only makes sense to have unique products as well. Much of the charm of having a small business is stocking it with items you aren't going to find at a typical big-box store.
Is there anything better than truly one-of-a-kind handmade items? Having a husband who makes custom furniture, I can attest that there is nothing better! John, my husband, is much of my inspiration for carrying one-of-a-kind items. The sheer joy of seeing an artist—no matter what kind of art they choose—have someone recognize their value, ability and hard work appreciated is an amazing feeling. With that said, at the shop, you will find many items by local artists that include furniture (J.Godfrey Craftsman), paintings (by Lauren Kindle), art (coming soon by Kailey Atkinson), collaborative nail polish with Taylor Made Polish, laser-cut garden stacks (by Knecht), and headbands, eye pillows, eco-friendly food wraps (by Ana Moser, owner of Unearth Your Vibe).
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Tell us about your desire to offer eco-friendly products.
When looking for products to carry in the shop, eco-friendly items and/or items that do something for the betterment of the world are high priority! Eco-friendly items are gaining momentum and so it feels wonderful to be a part of that and to be able to supply shoppers with those items!
Is there one product that just continually flies off the shelf?
Inventory is forever changing at LEARKE, but I'd say the products that move the quickest are plants and cards.
What is something that customers might be surprised to find in the shop?
I think a lot of the items we carry would surprise customers—it isn’t just a home goods store! Customers may be surprised to find that I have an area with men’s goods.
Tell us about the overall shopping experience at LEARKE!
The shop is very small so you'll most likely have to do a couple laps to see everything that is available. What I love about that is it encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy the experience. As soon as you open the door, you can smell the mixture of candles and soaps that create an amazing aroma. There is always good music playing and a big welcome when you walk in. It’s the best vibe!
What are you looking forward to at the shop this summer?
In all honesty, I'm looking for normalcy. Since the shop opened six weeks prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, last summer really wasn't experienced. I'm looking forward to seeing people out and enjoying themselves!
What do you love about being based in Easton?
Everything! I was born and raised in Easton and have a deep love for the city. I've seen the progress it has been making over the last several years and it is so rewarding to see how awesome it has become and how it continues to grow. I love the feel of being downtown. Seeing people. Admiring the beautiful architecture. Meeting small-business owners. The list goes on.
One of the best things about Easton is the community. It's refreshing to see others want everyone to succeed—whether that be the city, the Easton Main Street Initiative/The Greater Easton Development Partnership or the local businesses, it truly feels like everyone is rooting for you!
65 N. 4th St., Easton | 610.704.4354 | learke.com
