Alumni in the News
Phoebe Ann Beacham – BS, Business Administration, 2005
Tooele, UT; The Tooele Transcript – October 27, 2006 Phoebe Beacham has been learning about business for nine years under the tutelage of her father, Dave Bickmore. Now she is taking this education and branching out on her own with Phoebe Ann, a gift boutique and flower store.
Beacham, her husband Burt, and her parents, Dave and MaryAnn Bickmore along with employees and members of the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of her new business "Phoebe Ann" Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The boutique replaced the pharmacy Dave’s Drug at 30 West, 100 South.
Dave’s Drug closed earlier this year when owner Dave Bickmore sold his business to Walgreens. Beacham, who worked as the buyer for gifts, cards and toys, at Dave’s Drug, has built on her experience at the pharmacy to create Phoebe Ann.
Settled on a comfortable sofa amid a colorful array of dinnerware, cards, candles and books, Beacham said "I took the best things from Dave’s Drug and made it my own thing."
"I enjoy celebrating special times in people’s lives," Beacham said. "I envision the business to be a place where people come to buy gifts for all occasions."
The gift theme is extended to free gift wrap offered with purchases. Phoebe Ann is designed to invite consumers to relax, browse and linger. The shop has an open floor plan with wares displayed on sofas, dining room sets and coffee tables throughout the store. Most of the secondhand, handmade or antique fixtures are also available for sale, she said. Some of the furnishings have been refinished or built by her husband.
In addition to Beacham’s nine years with Dave’s Drug, she also spent a year working as a buyer for Jolley’s Pharmacy in Salt Lake City.
She learned flower arranging from the florist at Jolley’s, Beacham said, noting her floral designs are "a little different" from the bouquets seen in other floral shops. "I have more of a modern look."
A little different seems to be the theme of Phoebe Ann, where shoppers can buy everything from funky, upscale witch hats to gourmet candy. Books, toys, crafts and baby items share space with crafts, and home and holiday dZcor. Beacham works with small specialty vendors who offer items not found in big-box stores, she said.
"It’s a fun place to come and look around," said Marsha Ward, knitting specialist. Ward has been teaching knitting classes at Dave’s Drug for two years and plans to continue her classes with Phoebe Ann.
Phoebe Ann will also build on a tradition started at Dave’s Drug hosting monthly events focusing on specific departments in the boutique, she said. The popular photos with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny will continue as well as a summer sidewalk sale and other seasonal events.