by Denise Massie
PERU — Alexandria Blong is a busy mother of two and is currently expecting her third child. But she’s also celebrating the “birth” of her newest business.
Blong has owned and operated The Potter’s Bench in Peru for the past six years, and recently decided to take on another business. Blong and her husband, Bob, opened their second business on Sept. 30.
Known as PipSqueaks, the children’s store is located in the same building as her first business, The Potter’s Bench, at 25 W. Third St. in Peru.
“There is really nothing in the area,” said Blong about other children’s stores.
Blong said she began developming the idea for the store in January.
She wanted to reach out to different local community members and offer an alternative choice for gifts and clothing other than just local chain stores.
“We have young children and always have to get gifts for birthdays and baby showers,” she explained. “What we have to offer is variety.”
The new store carries Robeez shoes, which are similar to moccasins for children, said Blong. It offers a variety of clothing for infants to toddlers. It also carries Melissa and Doug brand educational puzzles and toys along with other pull toys, wooden toys, books and art supplies for children.
Opening the new business has been an exciting experience for Blong and her husband.
“It’s something that adds variety and adds class to Peru,” Blong said.
Blong feels her new store compliments the two other gift stores in town as well as her first business.
“We have two or three other gift shops in town,” she said. “We are all different. One is Victorian, one is country and ours is artsy — so it’s a little bit more unique in that way.”
In addition to opening the new children’s store, Blong said she has made expansions in The Potter’s Bench.
The shop has offered custom framing as well as pottery and glass work, Blong said. It now sells candy from The South Bend Chocolate Company, Timeworks clocks, Wood Wicks Candles and miscellaneous household gift items.
Many of the items sold in the store are made in the United States.
Blong said handling the workload of the new store, a new baby and and expansion of her first business might be a bit of a challenge. She said she may eventually have to hire some extra help for the store.
Blong said she enjoys running her own business and feels the entire family benefits from it.
“I think the kids appreciate and learn more,” she said.
Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com
New business
Name: PipSqueaks
Address: 25 W. Third St., Peru
phone number: (765) 472-2597
Current hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday
