Couple find 'Beautiful Things' rewarding

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers ARTWORK—Cindy and Brad McTeer stand in front of one of many shelves of frames, candles and housewares available in their store, Bella Cosas, in Old Town Camarillo. Cindy and Brad McTeer have found their niche: Bella Cosas, the gift and home decor store they opened two years ago in Old Town Camarillo.

Brad had been an executive with a major retail chain for 30 years until he retired, and Cindy, who has a background in management and sales, had been renting shelf space at gift stores to sell her wares before they opened Bella Cosas—the phrase is an Italian/Spanish blend meaning "beautiful things"—in 2006.

"Cindy has so much talent we decided to open our own business," Brad said. "It seemed like a perfect fit."

"I love what I do," Cindy said.

At 2270 E.Ventura Blvd., shoppers can find floral arrangements, candlesticks, spa and bath items, beaded clutch handbags, jewelry, large framed art pieces, inspirational plaques and books, picture frames, greeting cards, wind chimes, wall hangings, clocks, lamps, wall outlet covers, baby clothing and garden items.

The McTeers just recently began carrying the Brighton jewelry line. The couple say they feel honored to carry it because the company is very discriminating in choosing its retailers.

"That's a big deal for us," Brad said. "It's been a nice addition to the business because we sell it every day."

The store also carries bracelets, charms and other items with the characteristic pinkribbon insignia for breast cancer patients. Part of the sales goes to a cancer foundation, Cindy said.

It's rewarding to hear customers share stories of how those gifts have affected the receiver, Cindy said, such as the woman Cindy helped to assemble a gift basket full of spa items for a friend who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer; the customer was herself a breast cancer survivor.

"She was really emotional, too, and it just touched my heart," Cindy said.

Earlier in the day, the woman had called to say she was stuck in traffic and wouldn't arrive before closing time. Cindy kept the shop open for her.

"I was very happy that I was able to do that for her," Cindy said. "That's the kind of customers I have. . . . (They're) great people."

The McTeers pride themselves on giving individual attention to each customer. Cindy and Brad will spend time helping a shopper find just the right item. If they don't have ceramic and wrought-iron kitchen canisters in the right color, for instance, the couple will special order the correct one. Gift wrapping is free.

This is the first time the McTeers, who've been married for 18 years, have worked together. While they both select items for the store, Brad takes care of the accounting and other paperwork, and Cindy builds the displays and decorates the store.

Customers, who enter to the sound of soft music and the scent of candles, often comment on how relaxing they find the store, Cindy said.

Despite a downturn in the economy, sales have surpassed last year's figures, Brad said; he attributes it to the store's broad selection of items at affordable prices.

"We feel good about that because it could easily go the other way," he said. "It fits people's budget even in tough times."

The McTeers say they enjoy being in Old Town Camarillo and seeing new and regular customers every day. New stores are opening up there and, along with the recent renovation of the downtown area, are drawing in more shoppers who value unique shops like Bella Cosas, the couple said.

"It's just very fun to be down here now," Brad said.