Whew!! Finally done, and I’m beat! Friday, we had a Ribbon Cutting with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and about a dozen people showed. Then Saturday, we had our official grand opening and lots of people came. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I finally sat down and felt my feet pounding. But, it all went fantastic. Everyone gave great reviews of the place and were amazed at what we have done so far. It feels really good in here!
lots of pictures to follow
Here is one side of the apothecary wall… there is even more stuff on the tables now, ’cause we got three product deliveries after I took this picture on Friday morning.
Here’s what you see when you walk in the door…
From the other side of the room…
another angle of the dried herbs and teas and stuff…
Here we are, just about to snip the ribbon. No, we aren’t all miniature people… the guy in the middle (pres. of the chamber) is just really tall 
Nikki and I, 10 minutes before the ribbon cutting.
A mix of lavender, roses, and jasmine flowers that went into making my truffles for the grand opening!!! Mmmmm…
Here’s the recipe:
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
-1 cup heavy cream
-1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers (but other flowers, and even mint or cinnamon, would be great!)
-12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
-1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Grate chocolate (or use chips). Bring cream and lavender to a simmer for one minute, let steep for 20 minutes, then strain. Add cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well. Chill at least 3 hours. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in cocoa powder. Makes ~25 truffles. Be prepared to moan!
Here’s how the sign turned out. Isn’t it fantastic!!!
Wow! It looks great! Congratulations!
That sign is beautiful! The store is beautiful, and I’m going to make those truffles this weekend for my first anniversary. Mmmmmm . . . .
It really, really looks wonderful in the shop, if I lived near enough I’d come and you’d have trouble getting me to leave!
Michelle
Congratulations. It looks terrific! Way to go Maria and Nikki. Wow … what a supply of herbs. Bet your place smells fantastic. :0)
Ooooh, I just love the lines of the jars of herbs on the shelf. Must be the ‘librarian’ in me that loves seeing things lined up sooo neatly on shelves. Beautiful little place you’ve got!!! Congrats on the grand opening!
Congrats – everything looks so wonderful and inviting. I wish I was closer.
those truffles sound yummy! i’m glad it was a great success. (i spy my blue bottles:)
Oh it looks so great! It seems like such a peaceful place just from looking at the photos. Congrats!
Congratulations! The store looks wonderful! And if you served those truffles, I’m sure you’ll get a swarm of people coming back! You’ve done GREAT!
Congratulations! Your truffle recipe looks wonderful…I have been meaning to try a nougat lavendar recipe i saw in mother earth news for a long time….but i think i will try your truffles first! Good luck in your endeavor…the place looks great!