Shannon Geiger wants you to know that shopping at her store, Twin Bull Treasures, supports over 30 local artists and their families. 

“We have a great selection of merchandise, but if we don’t have something we can custom make exactly what you’re looking for,” Geiger said. 

After selling furniture privately and as a vendor in a store, Geiger said she was ready to open her own store where she can showcase her work. Her husband, Scott, left his corporate job last February to focus on woodworking and selling at outdoor events but once the pandemic threw a wrench into their plans, they realized they needed a different plan.  

“When these vendor opportunities were cancelled due to COVID, we had to develop a new plan. I was thinking about renting space in a second location to sell my work. There was a lot of unsurety concerning the pandemic and how it would affect businesses,” Geiger said, “but we believe in ourselves and decided to take a leap of faith. And honestly, pandemic or not, this was the next logical step in our journey.”

Twin Bull Treasures opened its doors last November in Old Towne Petersburg (which Geiger chose because “the building and space is full of historic charm”) and is named after Geiger’s twin son and daughter, both Tauruses, who she called her greatest treasures. They sell locally handcrafted merchandise like home decor, jewelry, body products, candles and upcycled furniture, the Geigers’ specialty.

“[My interest] definitely began with the importance of recycling and not just throwing something in a landfill,” Geiger said. “It’s fulfilling to take something broken or ugly or useless and breathe new life into it.”

Geiger said vendors are chosen by the type and quality of their work and she adds new ones based on 

customer demand. Vendors regularly update their spaces with new items, which helps to keep store inventory fresh and modern.

Opening a store during the pandemic means wearing a mask and Geiger requires customers to do the same. If a customer doesn’t have a mask, Geiger provides one for them and regularly sanitizes, as well as having hand sanitizer in several locations in the store.

While it has been challenging finding the balance between running the store and working on projects, Geiger said becoming part of a community that cares about its neighbors, businesses and city and meeting so many nice people and customers and vendors have been a highlight.

“The response from businesses and customers has been great,” Geiger said. “Everyone is always glad to see new businesses coming into the area. This is a very welcoming and caring community.”

Post-pandemic, Geiger said she would like to host classes, have special shopping nights and pop up shops with food trucks. She eventually wants to have a website for the store, and hopes to grow the business by adding custom painting services from furniture to cabinets and murals.

Geiger’s goals are to cultivate the Twin Bull Treasures brand, continue to offer vendor opportunities and help others grow their brands and become more involved in the community. Her and Scott are also collaborating on different projects to add some new handmade product lines.

Twin Bull Treasures is located at 39 Bollingbrook Street. For more info, find them on Facebook or email [email protected].