It’s now official. La Bohème, St. Helena’s tony, eclectic resale shop that was for years the town’s best-kept secret, is no longer in the shadows—commercial or otherwise. The North Main Street resale shop benefiting Collabria Care – Collabria Hospice, run by shopkeeper Karen Rowland, has been named Non-Profit of the Year by the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce.
On March 16th, the St. Helena Chamber will honor excellence in the community, and La Bohème in particular, through its annual event called Celebrate St. Helena. In a wine luncheon hosted by HALL St. Helena honoring award recipients, this year’s theme connects local businesses with each other and with their Napa Valley neighbors. (Tickets are still available through the Chambers’ website, at sthelena.com/chamber-of-commerce.)
By the time ballots were turned into the Chamber, La Bohème was the clear favorite in the vote count. The resale shop earned glowing write-in comments: “Brilliant concept, exceptional quality items!”; “Great merchandise and super-great employees!”; “A valued gift to this fine community!”; and “Great artistry in a constantly-changing display.” One shopper put it best: “Sparkling service, unrivaled finds, and all for a good cause? What could be better?”
Although there was a groundswell of support to name Karen’s trusty terrier and Shopkeeper’s helper Bandit “Non-Profit Dog of the Year,” Bandit tells us he understands that his nomination might have a wait for next year’s ballots.