05 July . 2016
Discovering Downtown: Bella Mar
by Jessica Collins
One of the newest shops in town, Bella Mar is bringing a beautiful sea* of clothing and accessories to Wendell and surrounding areas. The women’s boutique offers affordable and current clothing and accessories.
A mother and daughter team and natives to the town of Wendell, Lisa and Mercedes Rico decided a boutique was the perfect addition to downtown. Mercedes graduated from East Carolina University, and after jumping feet first into the corporate world, decided something was missing. Her need for something more and Wendell’s growth prompted Mercedes and Lisa to make a move. With a lot of work and help from family and friends restoring the ideal space on Main St. in downtown Wendell, Bella Mar was ready for business.
Bella Mar opened on June 3, 2016. From the outside, you’ll get a glimpse of the fun styles awaiting inside. Mercedes keeps the store’s window display playful and current with creative themes. Behind the scenes, the mother-daughter duo have curated a unique collection of today’s styles for their shoppers. You’ll find a welcome shopping hideaway in Bella Mar’s space, offering a multitude of styles in vibrant prints and textiles, noteworthy baubles, and custom monogramming services. The interior exudes an updated rustic appeal with exposed brick walls, granite counter tops, glass shelves, plush fur rugs, and wooden displays -- evocative of the building’s history and downtown Wendell’s future. Welcome the newest store in town and stop in to say hello!
*Fun Fact: Bella Mar means beautiful sea in Spanish and MAR comes from Mercedes’ initials.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm and Thursday-Friday 10 am - 8 pm, Closed Sunday
Get social! Follow Bella Mar on Instagram and Facebook!
