There it is! The announcement I have been dying to share: Lily & Val is opening a Flagship Store in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!! It feels so surreal to type those words and even more surreal to see this amazing building with our logo and pink doors. This is happening and I might burst, guys!
How we got here:
Opening a Brick & Mortar store has always been a dream of mine. When Mak and I first discussed the idea, it was in terms of a long-term goal and big thinking. Something that might happen YEARS from now. We wanted that, but for some reason, it seemed unattainable in the foreseeable future. So, we continued running our business as usual. But then something changed. I started feeling a nudging for Lily & Val to expand. Currently, we work out of our home and I felt as though it might be time to explore options. Mak felt the same thing. So we prayed, did a lot of soul-searching, and became open to the idea of a physical location.
Enter this: the space of our dreams. A beautiful brick building nestled in quaint Shadyside/East Liberty on Ellsworth Avenue. We were smitten and the pieces started falling together. With room for exactly what our growing business needs, the location felt like it was made for us; like it was waiting for us to fill it. We sensed an urging that this is where we belong. We showed the space to the Lily & Val team and our families and they too recognized how strangely perfect it was.
So we leaped at the opportunity!
Above: The Lily & Val sign going up on August 18th! One of the most surreal moments!
You’re looking at the new home of the Lily & Val Corporate Office, where we will run our online retail and wholesale operation, AND the Lily & Val Flagship Store! We are thrilled to be in this wonderful community and city of Pittsburgh! I am from a suburb of Pittsburgh and Mak and I have lived in the city for over 2 years now. Every day we fall more in love with this town and the amazing, friendly people here. It is my favorite city and I feel honored to be here!
There is so much to tell you all about the retail store! It will feature a cozy, eclectic mix of home decor, stationery, and gifts including our entire line of signature chalkboard art and hand-drawn lovelies. We will also carry a selection of thoughtfully procured, one-of-a-kind vintage finds, products we love, and local, handmade goods!
Some of my favorite parts:
The Print Bar: All Lily & Val prints will be available at the Print Bar! We will offer a selection of framing options here, too.
The Sign & Seal Station™: Every card purchase will include the option of upgrading to our Sign & Seal Station! Here, you will be able to choose from an array of washi tape, crafting supplies, stickers, markers, pens, stamps, and everything you would need to beautify the inside of the card and the envelope! We are huge lovers of snail mail around here and the Sign & Seal Station will be perfect for adding a personalized touch and extra dose of creativity to our cards!
Workshops: I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to have a space to provide workshops! Chalk Lettering classes in addition to other fun, creative classes will be held right here in our store.
There’s more to share, but I won’t ruin all of the surprises for now!
During the next few weeks we will be building out the store and I’ll certainly be sharing peeks along the way via Instagram! We are planning to hold our grand opening in October (exact date TBD) so be sure to follow along for those announcements! You can also sign up to receive Lily & Val Flagship Store email updates by clicking here.
We are so honored and excited to be part of this neighborhood and can’t wait to meet you in person!
This is all truly a dream, guys, and I’ve had this quote on my heart for that reason. In honor of the big announcement, I’m offering this chalk art print as a FREE digital download! Just click the image below to download the 6″x 6″ image.
If you have any questions at all, I would love to answer them! Please leave a comment below. As always, I am forever grateful for your love and support. Lily & Val has the best customers in the whole world and I can’t wait to share this new venture with you. <3
23 Comments
This is amazing!! I can’t wait to visit the store! Congratulations!!
What a beautiful storefront! I can’t wait to visit when you open! Congrats on making your dreams come true!!!!
Val….this is just so YOU! Everything down to the pink doors….simply magical! So excited to see the next chapter unfold for you and Mak. The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades 🙂 xoxo, ~Lori
Congratulations! I can’t wait to tell my family in Pittsburgh about this! …I’ll definitely be planning a trip! 🙂
I am so excited for y’all to have a store! I am just sad that I live out in Arkansas and can’t drive to it! I am originally from NE Ohio so I might have to convince some family to go to the store for me or with me some day!
I don’t know you but I follow you on Instagram and I am constantly impressed with your calligraphy! I’d love to learn as a side interest to my major of communications and minor of art! Congratulations! I hope to visit the store someday- got any tips!?
I wish I lived in Pittsburgh or the USA, even! So exciting for you and your team. I wish you all the best in your endeavours
Vicky calling from the UK… Huge fan of yours! Massive congratulations on living out your dream! I hope to follow in your footsteps on my own journey someday. Lots of love and luck xx
This is so exciting! I live a couple hours from Pittsburgh andhave relatives in shady side! Can’t wait to see your shop inperson!!
Congrats from your extended Maryland family!
Val, I’m so excited to see your store! The building is beautiful, perfect for your business. The best part of this adventure will be building community and connecting with people face to face. Congratulations! I’m so looking forward to seeing your store in person one day!
Elsa 🙂
That is very exciting to hear, Congrats!!
As a student of yours, at the Makerie Chalk Lettering workshop in Philly, Pittsburgh is one LUCKY city to have you and your new store! Congratulations and lots of love to you and your team!
Who do I live so far away? Wonderful!
Why do I live so far away? Wonderful!
Congratulations! What an exciting adventure and dream come true. Wishing you the best of luck! Wish I lived near there, Pittsburgh is a wonderful place! I’ve shared your announcement with a friend who does live there
Congrats! I can’t wait to come see the store and take a class! I love your work!
It’s gorgeous Val and I’m so very excited for you! Love the Sign + Seal station omg! Definitely have to make a trip west of PA to visit you ASAP now!
So excited for you! This building looks amazing and I love the ideas of the print bar, sign & seal station and of course the workshops! Wish I lived closer! 🙂 All the best in this newest chapter of your journey! Thanks for the printable. I love it!
This is so exciting! Congratulations! Know it will be the cutest shop ever.
Yay! I liv in a suburb of Pittsburgh and cannot wait to visit your brick and mortar store. My sister hops to come in for the opening!
Welcome to the neighborhood! I live around the corner and cannot wait for you to open and to take some of your workshops!!
This is so awesome and it couldn’t have happened to a better person! So excited for you!