Chamber Member of the Week: Willow and Pine Market

April 26, 2021 | 12:08 am

Updated April 25, 2021 | 10:27 pm

Willow and Pine

Willow and Pine Market opened in May of 2020 and after overcoming the many obstacles of a pandemic for nearly a year, they are excited about some normalcy returning to downtown Owensboro. 

The market specializes in everything found in kitchens, plus some other areas of the home. They also offer gifts that range from soaps and lotions to candles, while also being a premier choice for wedding registries.

“What I love the most is that I have a little something for everything,” said owner Anne Higgins. “Our price ranges vary and we offer formal and casual dinnerware and linens. We also have all kinds of fun cooking and baking items.”

Higgins moved to Owensboro from Kansas 19 years ago, bringing her midwestern values with her. It was an easy adjustment because to her, Owensboro is similar — offering a sense of connectedness with friends and family. 

“Family is important. Family dinners as a child are something I’ll always remember,” she said. “Our city does an excellent job of building up families and I think that all starts at the dinner table. I believe that dinnerware can elevate those experiences at the dinner table.”

The mission of Willow and Pine is about more than selling dinnerware. They want to sell joy and connectedness through pieces that families can cherish for many years to come. 

“I have some special pieces of my own that are meaningful and sentimental,” Higgins said. “Different bowls and pieces spark different memories. Maybe it’s the bowl that my grandmother used to put the mashed potatoes in — someday my children and grandchildren will have these same pieces.”

The store’s signature product is Polish Pottery, bright and colorful stoneware that catches the eye of every customer that enters the store. The stoneware, which is hand-painted and hand-stamped by artists in Poland, is both durable and practical. 

“People love it because it’s oven and dishwasher safe, and very bright,” she said. “Others treat it as a collection item and purchase it for display. We keep a list at the store so customers can have a wishlist. It comes in thousands of patterns and hundreds of shapes so people can always add to their collection.”

Higgins attributes much of their success over the last year to the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. 

“I’m proud to be a part of the Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “The Chamber has really gone above and beyond to support its members during this time. It’s amazing to me the level of support.

As more restrictions are lifted and the weather turns warmer, the downtown streets are coming alive — something Higgins looks forward to.

“I love downtown — people from the hotels walking around, people eating outside. It’s where everyone comes to hang out with friends and family,” she said. “I feel like my store was a good fit for downtown.”

April 26, 2021 | 12:08 am

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