The Other Pine Cone Dropped
Another big change is on the docket for Pine Life, a local lifestyle brand. Owner Stephanie Czekalski will be closing her brick and mortar, located in Olmsted Village, later this month. Don’t worry, you’ll still find the brand online.
“It’s not a full stop, just a pivot,” says Stephanie. She is looking forward to having flexibility to expand the brand’s online presence and expand nationally, while working on another online company based out of Raleigh and coaching basketball at her daughter’s school. “This chapter required everything I had and the next chapter deserves fresh energy,” she says. “The space served its purpose. I got to meet a lot of new people.””I think a lot of people’s spending habits have changed too. That wasn’t really a part of the decision but retail does look different than it did when we first opened.”
The brand has a mission to help plant trees for every shirt sold. Since launching in 2017, over 20,000 t-shirts have been sold and 5,000 trees planted, something Stephanie is really proud of. The brand has been spotted all over the world, from Jamaica to Hawaii. Photos from customers in Pine Life gear are showcased on the back walls, Stephanie’s favorite part of the shop. “I want to emphasize how important this community is, because they’ve built this brand,” she says.
- You’ll still find gear in person at stores like Against the Grain Shoppe, Sun + Soul and Pine Scone Café. Stop in now through the end of January for your last chances to shop without a screen. In the meantime, tag your photos to continue spreading the legacy like pine straw in the wind.
