LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – An iconic downtown Lewisburg entrepreneur and longtime business leader is handing over the reins of her signature store and is easing into a new world of semi-retirement.
Tamera Pence, owner of Bella The Corner Gourmet for nearly 15 years, says the idea for the store became a reality after the 2008 economic crash. She and her husband, Roger, moved back home to Monroe County and began a new life.
“I had to recreate myself and how I made an income,” Pence said. “I was urged and inspired by my bestie, Elizabeth Destiny, who originally opened The Stardust Cafe. She encouraged me to consider opening a gourmet shop, because she felt it was a good fit for the area.”
Pence walked into the building next door to the Stardust – on the corner of Washington St. and Jefferson St. – and eventually bought the building from Jerry Stephens. Pence created the name Bella by using her maiden name – Bell – and adding an A from her father who was named Augustus.
Pained by the memory of losing her sister-in-law Lynn to cancer (Lynn was originally going to help set up the shop) Pence set out with grit and determination to claim her place in downtown Lewisburg.
“We completed the renovation to create Bella and opened it in May of 2010,” Pence said. “I set out to create an atmosphere that focused on being happy and looked to solve problems related to anything in the kitchen and dining field. Soon, I created Bella Cooks Club, an after-hours event where all of the proceeds went to area non-profits with a focus on women’s health.”
As the years passed, Pence added services like catering and onsite carry-out charcuterie boards and loaded her store with yummy gourmet food, high-end cookware, kitchen utensils and much more.
“We have always provided customer service as we would prefer, hoping that this lost art would prevail and keep folks happy,” she said.
Pence, 64, quickly became a leader in the business community serving as president of the Lewisburg Downtown Business Association for 11 years, an LDBA representative on the Greenbrier County Visitors Bureau Board and serving on the Yew Mountain Center Board which promotes outdoor education and local tourism. The store was also voted as “Best Gourmet Food Shop” in the state by the readers of the WV Living magazine.
Pence said her family, staff, customers and friends were not only keys to her success, but changed her life along the way.
“I want to thank my family for their loving and constant support and also want to thank all my staff over the years, I have learned volumes of life lessons from them,” she said. “My customers belief in Bella was priceless and I want a big shout out to all my friends, old and new, who continually hear me out, lift me up and keep me encouraged about what’s possible.”
Pence said retirement plans for now are not set in stone, but she wants to stay on at Bella for a while so there is a smooth transition for the new owners, Christian Giggenbach and his wife Ginger Steele-Giggenbach.
“I’m so delighted and full of hope and get positive vibes from them! Pence exclaimed. “It’s going to be fun and they will move Bella forward in fantastic new ways.”
The Giggenbachs are ready to put their stamp on the business and plan to have a grand re-opening in January of 2025. Ginger, the owner of Little Black Box Bra Boutique, which she created and has been in business for 17 years, said she was excited about the new adventure. The business will be managed by Christian. The duo was raised in Greenbrier County and currently lives in Alderson.
“We want to thank Tamera for all her help and we promise to continue the Bella traditions of service and quality gourmet food,” she said.
