About Our Shop
The story of the Village Herb Shop is about an interest that started as a hobby, then became a passion, evolved into a home catalog business, and eventually became a retail business. When Kathleen Gips planted her first herb garden in 1975, little did she know where it would lead. The herbs she grew turned into herb vinegars, jellies, and potpourri for her personal use and into tussie mussies for gifts. Then a few neighbors asked for some for their own use and for gifts. A small mail order catalog was the start of her business, then known as Pine Creek Herbs.
At the same time Kathleen developed a keen interest in Herb lore. She immersed herself in research, learning about herbs and flowers, their history, and their meanings. She became involved in the National Herb Society, as a member and editor of a journal. In 1990 she authored the first edition of Flora’s Dictionary, the Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers. It quickly sold out, leading to a second expanded edition and many speaking engagements at garden clubs , women’s clubs, society chapters, and state and national conferences. Her passion for herbs and their uses has led to great opportunities to meet people and share ideas with them.
For years we traveled to craft shows, hosted holiday shows, and did catalog sales. Finally, in 1994, the Village Herb Shop opened its doors as a retail shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. We have outgrown our first two locations and are now ensconced in the 1880 brick Victorian building in the Village that you see on our home page. In addition to the rooms you can view on our on-line tour, we have a large classroom for workshops, presentations, meetings, and herb parties. There is always something happening at the Village Herb Shop and it usually has something to do with herbs.
We now have a nationwide mailing list of over 5000 customers and our Herb Club has 300 members who visit us regularly. Some of our loyal customers come from far away. We have created this website to give our good customers who cannot get to the Herb Shop as often as they would like a way to buy our products from long distance. We will sell our most popular products and our own VHS branded products here. But we cannot sell the entire variety of products you will find at the shop, and we know that we cannot completely reproduce the experience of visiting the shop itself. So, sign up for our newsletter and visit the website frequently to learn about our classes and events, our new products, and our special offers. Then come see for yourself. You always have an open invitation and a cup of tea will be waiting for you!
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