LEWISBURG- For Chrissy Holliday, opening a store wasn’t just about selling home décor, clothing and gifts. It was about creating a business that reflected the values that have always guided her family—faith, togetherness and supporting the local community.
Holliday is the owner of a growing little shop called Home for the Hollidays located alongside her husband Ivan’s business, Ivan’s Auto Repair in Fairlea at 110 Sydney Avenue. The unique setup allows the family to work together each day while providing customers with a shopping experience that blends seasonal décor, West Virginia-themed merchandise, clothing, handmade gifts, and much more.
The idea for the business actually began with a shared love of Christmas.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that we love Christmas,” Holliday said.
“Ivan and I have always wanted to open a Christmas shop, but with our crazy life we had to scale it back some,” she added.
Like many of the family’s ventures, the business started small. The first displays were set up inside the waiting room at Ivan’s Auto Repair. While customers admired the decorations, many assumed they were simply part of the waiting area rather than merchandise available for purchase.
“It was getting a little tight in there,” Holliday said.
“People didn’t realize the items were for sale. They just thought I was decorating the waiting room,” she said with a grin.
When the family found a small building for sale through Facebook Marketplace, they quickly acted on the opportunity. By the end of November, they had moved everything into the new space, allowing customers to browse a dedicated storefront while keeping the business close to home and Ivan’s garage.
Although Christmas décor sparked the idea, Holliday soon realized she wanted the store to offer much more than holiday merchandise.
Customers began stopping by to order homemade fudge and pumpkin rolls–which she fixes and are delicious–and she saw an opportunity to expand into year-round seasonal décor while also showcasing products with West Virginia pride.
Today, shoppers will find merchandise for every season, along with clothing, candles, wreaths, jewelry, spoon bracelets, and locally inspired gifts.
For Holliday, however, the location means far more than convenience.
“It is important to me to have my shop where it is because we do everything as a family,” she said.
“Our 21-year-old son with cerebral palsy looks forward to ‘going to work’ every day, and having everything at one location works for us and his needs.”
That family-first philosophy has become one of the defining characteristics of the business. While many small business owners dream of rapid expansion, Holliday says they are happy with the pace of growth and grateful for the support they have already received.
“It would be great to eventually expand one day, but for the time being we are content with what we have,” she stated.
Holliday also hopes shoppers recognize the value of supporting local businesses.
“I think it’s important to shop small and local,” she said.
“A lot of people don’t know that I carry some of the same décor and clothing items you can find at the larger stores in Beckley. However, I can get the same items and sell them at a cheaper price because we don’t have the overhead of paying rent or having employees.”
That ability to offer competitive prices while maintaining a personal connection with customers has helped the shop continue to grow.
Seasonal merchandise remains among the shop’s most popular offerings, but Holliday said the business enjoyed a successful Christmas season and followed it with an even stronger Spring Open House. Customers have especially embraced seasonal décor, clothing, candles, spoon bracelets, wreaths, and other unique gift items.
As the calendar turns toward the second half of the year, Holliday is already looking ahead to one of her favorite times of the year. Beginning July 1, the shop will kick off its annual “Christmas in July” sale, giving shoppers an early opportunity to find holiday decorations and gifts while taking advantage of special savings.
For Holliday, the shop has become more than a retail store. It is an extension of her family, a place where customers are welcomed like friends, and where shopping locally helps strengthen the local economy one purchase at a time.
The hours are Monday through Friday, 10 AM-5 PM.
Additional Photos from inside the shop:
