One of the newest businesses in Sewickley, The Picket Fence, opened last fall to a warm welcome from the community.
“Sewickley is a wonderful neighborhood,” said Maureen Staley, who co-owns the business with her sister and their mother, Patti Staley. “It has a good community presence, and people have told us they are excited we are in Sewickley, and we are excited to be here. There are so many things happening in Sewickley. People come here from all over.”
The three operated The Picket Fence in Oakmont from 2002 to 2009, inspired by family-owned boutiques they had visited across the country.
The store’s Shadyside location opened in November 2006.
“My mom wanted to bring something similar to other boutiques we visited to Pittsburgh,” said Maureen Staley, who lives in Point Breeze. “Customers often come in to buy something for someone else and find something for themselves. We have some items you can’t find in other places.”
Maureen Staley said now that her children are grown, she is able to dedicate a lot of her time to the Sewickley store. She added that the Shadyside store is in good hands with manager Lucila Andrich, who has become like family.
“She is a big part of the store,” Maureen Staley said.
The sisters and their mother are continually searching for new merchandise through their travels.
Patti Staley came up with the idea of opening a store with her daughters after visiting Maureen when she lived in Los Angeles, where she worked in fine arts.
Patti Staley formerly owned Cradle and All, a children’s boutique in the East End in the 1980s and ‘90s.
Located in the former Après boutique space on Beaver Street, which moved to another part of the street, The Picket Fence carries baby items, home decor, gift items and clothing.
Some brands shoppers will find at The Picket Fence include Poppy, Stoney Clover, Jellycat, Rylee & Cru, Magnetic Me, Kissy Kissy, Pink Chicken, Super Smalls, OB Designs, Swingly and cuddle kind — plush dolls and baby animals handcrafted by female artisans in Peru, where each purchase provides 10 meals for children in need.
Gifts include Pittsburgh onesies for babies, notepads and glasses with the Sewickley ZIP code of 15143, Hester and Cook placemats, bags, cards, candles, baby clothing, some women’s clothing, jewelry, books, toys, Jellycat stuffed animals, picture frames, plates and napkins, as well as a few items for men.
Local brands include Garbella and Tabbara Chocolates.
Nancy Tabbara, owner of Tabbara Chocolates, discovered The Picket Fence in Shadyside, where she lived when her children were young.
“There are so many quality products at The Picket Fence,” Tabbara said. “I bought so many great gifts there. It is so important to support local businesses.”
“Nancy comes from a multigenerational family-run business as well,” Maureen Staley said. “She will work with us to find the exact product we need.”
Sewickley resident Susan Evans appreciates the store’s sweet inventory.
“There are so many cool things in the store,” said Evans, who teaches mahjong, a Chinese tile-matching game, and learned The Picket Fence had hosted a mahjong event with a club from Dallas.
The Picket Fence carries mahjong gift items such as Oh My Mahjong products, game sets and accessories for playing.
Evans teaches a class most Thursdays at the store, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person.
Maureen Staley said mahjong is the new book club.
“I love to see the people who come into The Picket Fence and are excited about playing,” Evans said. “I have been wanting to teach mahjong in Sewickley. It was meant to be. Maureen is tremendous to give me this opportunity.”
The Picket Fence is at 417 Beaver St., Sewickley.Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (hours will be expanded to include Sundays in spring and summer).
Details:412-328-6861 or picketfencesewickley.com