The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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October 17, 2009

New nest

Speckled Hen becomes Charming Chick

Bev Davis

A Beckley business has a new name and a new owner.

The Speckled Hen on Eisenhower Drive has become The Charming Chick. Joan Osborne, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business this year, took over the business Sept. 25 and will host her grand opening Nov. 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

“I really enjoy coming to work every day. I love the atmosphere, and this is a place where I can find ways to be more creative,” Osborne said.

She credits the former owners for their work in operating the business the past four years.

“They did all the hard work of getting it started and building a good customer base. Now, it will be up to me to keep those customers happy and to continue to build the business.”

The shop stocks a wide variety of candles, tarts, fabrics and supplies for crafts such as wool appliqué and punch needle work and embroidery.

Osborne has added gift baskets that can be made to fit a person’s hobbies or for special occasions such as Mother’s Day or Christmas.

Classes will be available for some of the crafts, and long-term plans include adding quilting supplies to the shop.

“I’m working my way into what we already have to offer, and as I meet more of our customers and get a better idea of what they would like to see us offer, I plan to build on that and add things gradually as the interest increases,” she said.

A Beckley native, Osborne grew up sewing, but many of the crafts such as dyeing wool are new to her.

“Part of what I enjoy so much is learning new things and being able to be more creative.”

The mother of two sons, Osborne spent 25 years as a medical transcriptionist, working much of that time from home.

“I have worked at a hospital and for a doctor, but working from home allowed me to be with my children more, and that was important to me,” she said.

She always thought she would like to own her own business. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, she took some classes at the former Beckley College. Over the years, she pursued her business degree, which she finally earned from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.

“I also took some marketing classes, and I think that will help me a lot in this business,” Osborne said. “The business background has also prepared me for owning and running a business, so I’m excited to try my wings and see how this goes.”

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com

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