“A lot of people said Boho wouldn’t last a year,” but even with the challenges of COVID-19 mandated closings and guidelines asking people to stay home, Boho co-owner Kristal Straub said the Hinton business is celebrating its second birthday this week and heading into its third year of operation.
“Some thought it was crazy when we opened Bobo in 2019,” said Straub. “We had to shut down for a month, but we had such great support from our customers here and in other states. Focus on extra postings on social media and a lot of shipping, we found people stepped up and supported us in a big way.”
Colorful, culturally diverse, local and global are a few ways to describe the variety of items catching the eye of visitors are they walk in. Straub says there are items for everyone and every generation. From locally handmade Swedish dishcloths to Guatemalan worry dolls, West Virginia favorites — Fiesta tableware and Blenko glass — to Turkish mosaic glass lamps. Prices range from under a dollar to as much as $130 for handmade mosaics, but lower and mid-range prices are predominant. Artful stationary cards, jewelry, puzzles, always stylish organic cotton and hemp fabric clothing, India tapestries and boho-inspired collectibles are among the vast selections. A visit to Boho is like browsing an art museum and gift store.
There is an energy to Boho that Staub and her partner, Carl Thompson, have intentionally created.
Straub explained, “Carl greets everyone with something like this ‘Welcome to Boho where the sun is always shining.’”
Of importance to the owners is having an inclusive environment, Straub said, “a place anyone can come and feel comfortable. All are welcome here.”
And as customers browse, they will find vintage mixed in with funky new things, imports, and local items produced responsibly, artistically and with a colorful bohemian vibe. Boho’s featured apparel is generally multi-seasonal, kimono-type things and wraps, with classic and stylish design.
Boho is not a trend, it’s more of an attitude, “living life out loud,” said Straub, encouraging others to do so, too.
Boho is celebrating its second birthday all day Saturday. The 2nd Avenue retail store in Hinton is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Also, Thompson teaches stained glass lessons and tailors times and dates around students’ schedules.
