About Ms. Becky's ...
Becky and Freddy Smith bought the building in September 2003. When they purchased the building the roof leaked, 1/3 of the floor was missing and the walls had cracks and holes under the 5 layers of wallpaper. They, along with family and friends, worked on the building for 3 long years to restore the building to its beauty it is today.
In the News
News-Gazette, October 15, 2006:
It's your business
By Debra Pressey
Sunday, October 15, 2006 12:43 PM CST
When Becky and Freddy Smith bought a building more than a century old in downtown Homer, it wasn't much to look at inside.
"When we bought it, the roof leaked, the ceiling was falling down, plaster was falling from the walls," Becky Smith said.
That was three years ago. With the help of volunteers, the couple transformed the 1895 building at 120 S. Main St. into Ms. Becky's Variety Shop and Tea Room.
It opened earlier this month and is carrying collectibles, dolls, seasonal items and some handcrafted things made by Becky Smith. The shop, which doesn't have a kitchen, serves coffees, teas and packaged desserts, she said.
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Freddy Smith, who retired in July from SuperValu, is running the shop on weekdays. Becky Smith, who works for the University of Illinois Housing Division, said she's helping out for the last hour of the day and on weekends.