The Denton Main Street Association is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Bella Designs, Denton's only upscale home decor shop right off the Denton square.
Learn about their business launch story, overcoming the pandemic, and involvement in the Denton community.
A Family-First Business Story
Born and raised in Denton, Lisa McCarty’s entrepreneurial story began with big family ties throughout the city. In 1984, her parents built The Suites At Oak Street that resides just east of Oak Street Drafthouse. It’s also where Lisa met her husband, whose father was the contractor for the building at the time.
Once the walls were up and leasing opportunities became available, Lisa took the opportunity to become a small business owner. She opened an arts-and-crafts shop in one of the corner suites offering creative workshops and classes to locals.
After getting married and having multiple children within a few years, she decided to prioritize raising a family and became a stay-at-home mom. But as soon as her youngest graduated from high school in 2011, Lisa knew she still had something to offer in the business world — so she delved back into the world of entrepreneurship and opened Bella Designs, Denton’s only upscale home décor store.
Coincidentally, as soon as she was looking for a place to open her home décor store, the same corner suite she had her arts-and-crafts business was available again for lease. It was the natural choice to re-lease the space and she hasn’t moved since.
As a regular customer of the former Garden Gate store on the Denton Square, she didn’t want to compete with their business, so she sought out to bring something different to Denton. By offering popular, high-end home decor brands — from Coton-Colors, The Parkhill Collection, VOLUSPA Candles, Michel Design Works, 180 Degrees, and many others — she gives fellow Dentonites an opportunity to support the local economy without having to travel across the metroplex to find those unique home goods.
Over the next decade, Bella Designs has evolved bigger than Lisa ever anticipated.
Then Came COVID-19
When the pandemic temporarily forced the world to close its doors, the retail industry took a huge hit — and Bella Designs was no exception.
Thankfully, her design-savvy son was visiting home from New York right before the shutdown occurred (and he knew there was no point in rushing back with the way NYC became impacted right out of the gate). So he helped Lisa with her social media game, design projects and more to help the business survive.
She also limited opening hours, minimized contact (including contactless delivery), and prioritized social media to connect with customers and sell her influx of inventory to stay afloat. With these simple shifts, Lisa was able to come out on top even in the thick of the pandemic storm.
To her surprise, Bella Designs saw 126 new customers and a 96% increase in sales from 2019 which carried into the 2020 Christmas holiday.
Home is Where the Heart is
As a long-time member of the Denton Main Street Association, Lisa loves what DMSA offers to businesses around the Denton Square and surrounding areas. She remembers growing up attending Holiday Open Houses with her mother to kick off the Holiday season and appreciates DMSA keeping that tradition alive.
She believes wholeheartedly the Denton Main Street Association has been a huge part of the success of Downtown Denton.
Lisa states that Denton is the best place to be a business owner, in part because of DMSA. No matter the growth in diverse population every year, Denton has maintained that quaint, small town feel that other cities in the Metroplex have not been able to maintain. She believes small business and entrepreneurship is the heart and soul of Denton, and always encourages others to Shop Denton First.
Lisa is also involved in other areas of town. She enjoys the fellowship with other women as a Member of Denton Women's Club (Department of Creative Pursuits) — an organization who has been serving Denton for many years — as well as a Member of First Denton Church.
A 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Come enjoy a glass of bubbly and celebrate their 10-year anniversary on Saturday, November 13th and Sunday, November 14th!
Receive 20% off your “Happy Everything” purchase. PLUS, receive a Limited Edition attachment with the purchase of any “Happy Everything” base (while supplies last).
20% off ornaments.
Entry into Door Prize Drawings with each purchase. Drawing to be held Monday, November 16th via FB LIVE. Time TBA. Winner does not have to be present to win.
Author: Courtney Stucky | Aspiro Agency