Bethaney Linscheid, owner of Arlet’s Joy Boutique in Bell Buckle, remembers visiting as a child her great-aunt Arlet Hilde. Arlet always welcomed Linscheid with a smile and made her feel comfortable. Arlet genuinely cared about everyone she met and listened with interest every time she had a conversation, said Linscheid. People loved spending time with Arlet and enjoyed visiting her home, which was welcoming and filled with joy, love and kindness, said Linscheid.
Arlet’s Joy Boutique offers clothes, accessories and home decor items. Candles, soaps and bath bombs will help you create a welcoming atmosphere in your home. The store also offers bracelets, earrings, necklaces and purses to enhance your outfit. In addition to women’s clothes, you’ll find toddler tees and baby onesies. Most importantly, you’ll feel happy and comfortable in the relaxing atmosphere.
“When I was thinking about opening a store, I wanted it to be a place that is good, that people want to go back to,” Linscheid said. “I opened in September 2020. “(I named the store after) my great-aunt because she was just the most joyful person ever. And you always wanted to go back and see her because she just made you feel good. Arlet was my grandmother’s sister, and they were best friends. Arlet just had this great personality. She talked to you like you were (very important). She was listening. When she asked you how you were doing, she really wanted to know. And you would actually tell her – you wouldn’t just tell her ‘I’m fine.’ Arlet had that way about her, and you always wanted to go back and see her again.”
Linscheid wanted to recreate that environment and share it with her customers. When she opened the store, she wanted clients to enjoy not only the merchandise but the friendliness and warmth of the space.
“I wanted it to be a place you would want to go back to. There’s just that welcoming feeling in some places, and I wanted to recreate that feeling. And I thought, 'What would be better than giving it my great-aunt’s name?’ I want it to be a very welcoming, inviting place. I don’t offer many antiques because I feel the rest of the town has that covered and, honestly, I’m not knowledgeable enough to do the antique business justice. I wanted a place that’s a little more open than some of the other shops in Bell Buckle. I wanted people to be able to come in and feel they could browse and bring in their kids and strollers. I wanted it to be friendly and family oriented. I bring my girls to work with me all the time. I just wanted people to feel comfortable. You go into some homes and you feel you can put your feet on the coffee table and it’s okay. I wanted Arlet’s Joy to be a store that’s kind of like that – you can pick things up and if you accidentally drop them, it’s okay. You feel at ease.”
Linscheid invites you to visit Arlet's Joy. Her goal is to help you feel your best when you’re in your home and when you’re out.
“We sell products to make you and your home look and feel your best,” she said. “I like to offer as many local products as I can. I have cards from an artist in Murfreesboro. Her name is Annie Furr. She just started selling her art, so I partnered up with her. I have some cedar products that are grown and made at a local farm around here. I have tea towels that actually have hems sewn on them. They are made in Nashville and are my number one seller. People are looking for such items for the memory of the hems that they grew up with, but also, they are really pretty. The cedar products (include) sachets and coasters.”
Just like Arlet, Linscheid loves meeting people and talking with them. She helps customers find the perfect gift and great accessories for their outfits. Linscheid enjoys chatting with clients.
“My favorite part of the job is that I get to do something different every day. I’m ordering items for the shop, and I’m talking to people. I’m hearing tons of great stories. And I’m able to bring my kids here.”
Arlet’s Joy is located at 2 Railroad Square in Bell Buckle. The store is connected to Bell Buckle Coffee Shop and Book Swap. The coffee shop adds to the experience with its delightful aromas and happy chatter of coffee and book lovers. You can order a sausage and cheese biscuit at the Bell Buckle Coffee Shop and Book Swap and browse in Arlet’s Joy Boutique while enjoying your caramel latte.
For more information about Arlet’s Joy, visit the shop’s Facebook page.