Mary Fogg has opened Bella Amore in Oroville, a unique gift shop featuring a variety of items, as well as handcrafted gifts from local artisans. Fogg offers personalized gift baskets as well. The store is located at 1202A Main Street. Photo by Charlene He
OROVILLE – Bella Amore, a new retail gift shop, has opened at 1202A Main St. in Oroville and plans a grand opening on Friday, Nov. 11.
“We offer various products, unusual handcrafted treasures and personalized gift baskets made to order,” said owner Mary Fogg. “The business opened May 17 so we are new to the community.”
Bella Amore currently has operating hours Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As the Christmas shopping season nears Fogg says her hours will change to accommodate the community by staying open later in the evening until 7 p.m.
“The business offers individuals and businesses an outlet to show love and appreciation through personalized gift giving,” Fogg said. “The products range in variety of items purchased individually according to the purchaser’s preference or personalized through a gift basket designed by me according to questions answered about the receiver of the gift, which is necessary in meeting their needs or wants of products available in the shop.”
Available products include (but aren’t limited to) candles, soaps, kitchen items, herbal teas, jewelry, essential oils, handcrafted cards, unique items such as ostrich and emu eggs and gourds made by local artists. There are also crocheted and rag items, pillows, signs, local art prints, cards notepads and even a custom made carousel horse “for those that have everything,” according to Fogg. Bella Amore also offers gift certificates.
“The philosophy is as the name represents Bella Amore, beautiful love. We want that love to be represented in our gifts from the purchaser to the receiver. Whether for appreciation, friendship or love, the circle is continuous from the purchaser to the receiver.”
Bella Amore’s grand opening event is Friday, Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature an hourly giveaway of a product from the shop, as well as a basket drawing at the end of the evening. Fogg encourages people to join her in the celebration with a cup of hot cocoa and cookies. There will also be a drawing for those who drop their names in a basket; you do not need to be present to win.
She says she got the idea for her store while enrolled in a Master’s program in non-profit management. Her store, she said, is different from other businesses because it offers local artists an opportunity to share their products with the community and to be recognized for their talents. In the future she hopes to extend her services beyond Oroville into the rest of the county and to carry many unique items made from wood. In addition, she would like to donate a portion of her profits to a cancer research fund.
“Many of our family members have died from different forms of cancer and this is near and dear to our hearts,” she said.
Fogg and her husband have been living in Oroville since 1998. Together they have four sons and four daughter-in-law and eight grandchildren. The Foggs also have a trucking company and from that she has learned that customer service and loyalty are important.
She can be contacted at the store or by calling (509) 476-0210.
