-020(1).jpg)
Janelle with daughter Blake, after an ice skating show.
Fall 2006...post surgery/radiation/chemo. Always the gracious hostess! Entertaining friends and family from Minnesota...sister Maribeth Franz....friend Rand Sarles.
In August of 2007, my parents and I had lunch at the Main Cup Café on Main Street, in downtown Smithville, Missouri. As we were driving away, we noticed that the cute red and white storefront had recently been vacated. We mentioned that it looked like it should be a candy store. ...We opened “Nellie’s Sweet Shoppe” five weeks later, on October 4, 2007!
My parents relocated the previous year from Minnesota to Smithville. I moved with my husband Tom, and our two youngest sons, Benjamin and Andrew, from southern Johnson County, Kansas several months later. We moved to spend quality time with my sister, Janelle Morlock Tebbs and her family...husband Tracy and daughter Blake Emily, during her terminal bout with malignant melanoma, her treatments, and her passing in early 2007.
As we began to do research into how to open a sweet shoppe, what products to carry, where to find equipment and supplies, costs, etc. We witnessed miracles on a daily basis. We easily decided to name the shop in memory of and in honor of Janelle – many of her friends called her “Nellie”! The shop is located just across the historic town square from Tracy’s chiropractic practice and is perfect for Blake to run back and forth between the two businesses. She helps us dip chocolates, bag candy, and brightens our day.
So many of Janelle’s friends have helped us with this adventure; hosting at our open house, sending flowers, donating materials and labor, printing, logo design, web design, and on and on. We will never be able to thank you all enough!!!!!!!!! Our hope is that we will be able to borrow some of Janelle’s generous and entertaining spirit as we build “Nellie’s Sweet Shoppe.” She signed all her e-mails with the saying “Take Time to Enjoy Each Day” which we have stenciled above our door so our guests will be reminded as they leave to do just that. Thank you, Janelle. Your hand has been very evident and appreciated in this adventure.
