2 weeks Ago By RACHEL MERGEN [email protected]
Local stationery business Bohem Design Studio in downtown Winona is moving out of its physical storefront at the end of this year, but the future for the business is still full of hope. “We really are not going to pump the brakes on our business. We actually intend on getting busier,” said owner Cate Gongaware.
Gongaware and her husband Liam announced on social media in mid-September they intend to close the business’ location on Third Street on Dec. 31. Cate Gongaware poses for a portrait at her shop Bohem Design Studio in Winona, Minn.
Friday, Sept. 20. The mostly online store sells colorful stationery and special orders for weddings and events.
The duo, who both also work at Fastenal and are Bohem Design Studio’s only employees, will then focus on serving customers online instead. Online was where the business first started. Gongaware started Bohem Design Studio in 2017, after she moved to Winona.
The business initially focused online for client work, but Gongaware, who has always had a love for stationery, dreamed of opening a physical store. That dream was achieved earlier this year, when Bohem Design Studio opened its doors to the public in January. Paper gift bags are on display at Bohem Design Studio in Winona Friday, Sept.
20. The business now offers a variety of products like pens, planners, notepads and sticky notes, and art from small artists from Winona and beyond. Bohem Design Studio also offers custom graphic design work and the bulk of orders are for weddings.
While a majority of retail sales are done in the physical store at the moment for the business, the couple hopes to transition back online. “I think it's no secret that basically everyone everywhere is struggling, right? Like everything is super expensive, and unfortunately, that doesn't exclude small businesses," Gongaware said. Owner of Bohem Studio Cate Gongaware adjusts displays at the store on Friday, Sept.
20. Gongaware had been offering her products and services online since 2017 before she opened a physical store in January. She said the business faces challenges on Facebook and ensuring their content reaches customers.
"Sometimes it's kind of like yelling into a void,” Gongaware said. “We still want to serve the community. We still want to have online clients.
" Bohem Design Studio will continue to be based in Winona and is expected to offer local pickup for orders. Customers who are used to the physical store can expect to find many of the same products online, Gongaware said. She also noted the business hopes to expand its online presence, and expects to improve its website and creating Facebook and Instagram stores.
Cate Gongaware leaves her store Bohem Design Studio on Friday, Sept. 20. Gongaware seeks to create a subscription service in the future, where customers can receive new monthly art prints.
She hopes the move to online will help the business connect with more people and support more local artists. "I definitely would love people to be able to come online and find something that resonates with them," she said. Bookmarks and stickers are on display at Bohem Design Studio in Winona Friday, Sept.
20. She hopes customers will be able to find stationery that matches their personalities, just like she wanted to find when she was a high school student looking for school supplies. Gongaware said a physical storefront remains a possibility in the future of the business and said transition plans could change if business picks up heavily before the current store closes.
To learn more about the business, visit www.bohemdesignstudio.com .
Bohem Studio Hours: 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.
m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday Address: 270 East Third Street, Winona Information: [email protected] or 507-313-9582 Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. News Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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