BELLA BOTANICA BOUTIQUE...
If I had to sum up Bella Botanica, I'd say "Plants that heal, gifts that encourage, and words that inspire."
Hi, I'm Tracy Hankwitz and the proud owner of the Bella Botanica Boutique. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love every single day! Here's a little background on myself, our botanic boutique, and this little church that we have found ourselves calling home...
First, our Boutique Experience:
Do you know what your name means? I've always been fascinated with the meanings of names, so naming our business was important to me. Bella Botanica holds a much deeper meaning than just "pretty plants." Botanica comes from the word botany which of course refers to the study of plants. In some Hispanic countries a Botanica is a plant store that sells healing herbs and religious goods. (That's where "plants that heal" comes into play.) Bella means beautiful in Italian. It also means "promise of God." That discovery gave me goosebumps! Together, these two words hold the essence of my vision and mission for our boutique. And the fact that it is all happening in a charming little church in Springfield, Wisconsin shows me that it's something bigger than what I had hoped for.
The Springfield Church:
Built in 1865, just a few miles from Lake Geneva, the Springfield Church has had many lives. It began as an Episcopal church where those in the surrounding Springfield train depot community attended worship for many generations. In the 1940s and 50s a farmer stored hay in the building! In the 1960s, Methodist Pastor Menge restored the building, adding the entryway, choir loft and beautiful stained glass windows. Imagine all the life that filled this place! The congregation finally outgrew the space, and the church was used by the community for various activities. For many years, it was used as an antique store. Then a yoga studio. And in April 2021, it became the home for the Bella Botanica Boutique. My goal is to create a sanctuary within this sanctuary -- a place to connect, and a place for community once again.
My Life and Passions:
I'm married and mama to four grown kids. Plants and music have been my two big passions in life. I previously taught piano lessons while raising kids, designed gardens, and managed Burlington Garden Center. Plus, I taught horticulture classes at Gateway Technical College.
I enjoy writing about gardening and growing in faith. The seed of owning my own plant shop was planted by my mom several years ago, and it is with a heart filled with gratitude that it has grown and blossomed into Bella Botanica. My husband, Neil, has been a big part of making this happen, along with the encouragement of close friends and family. My hope is to help you see that life is beauty filled -- in nature and within us. At the same time, I strive to offer a cultivated collection of vintage, boutique and fine botanic goods -- gardening tools, books, seeds, terra cotta pottery, unique house plants and perennials -- and to support local makers. I also believe that each of us is made with a creative spirit, and it needs to be nurtured! So be sure to check our workshop schedule and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
And please stop in our boutique for a cup of tea, a cup of coffee and to shop, visit or join an event. I'd love to get to know you.
Hi, I'm Tracy Hankwitz and the proud owner of the Bella Botanica Boutique. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love every single day! Here's a little background on myself, our botanic boutique, and this little church that we have found ourselves calling home...
First, our Boutique Experience:
Do you know what your name means? I've always been fascinated with the meanings of names, so naming our business was important to me. Bella Botanica holds a much deeper meaning than just "pretty plants." Botanica comes from the word botany which of course refers to the study of plants. In some Hispanic countries a Botanica is a plant store that sells healing herbs and religious goods. (That's where "plants that heal" comes into play.) Bella means beautiful in Italian. It also means "promise of God." That discovery gave me goosebumps! Together, these two words hold the essence of my vision and mission for our boutique. And the fact that it is all happening in a charming little church in Springfield, Wisconsin shows me that it's something bigger than what I had hoped for.
The Springfield Church:
Built in 1865, just a few miles from Lake Geneva, the Springfield Church has had many lives. It began as an Episcopal church where those in the surrounding Springfield train depot community attended worship for many generations. In the 1940s and 50s a farmer stored hay in the building! In the 1960s, Methodist Pastor Menge restored the building, adding the entryway, choir loft and beautiful stained glass windows. Imagine all the life that filled this place! The congregation finally outgrew the space, and the church was used by the community for various activities. For many years, it was used as an antique store. Then a yoga studio. And in April 2021, it became the home for the Bella Botanica Boutique. My goal is to create a sanctuary within this sanctuary -- a place to connect, and a place for community once again.
My Life and Passions:
I'm married and mama to four grown kids. Plants and music have been my two big passions in life. I previously taught piano lessons while raising kids, designed gardens, and managed Burlington Garden Center. Plus, I taught horticulture classes at Gateway Technical College.
I enjoy writing about gardening and growing in faith. The seed of owning my own plant shop was planted by my mom several years ago, and it is with a heart filled with gratitude that it has grown and blossomed into Bella Botanica. My husband, Neil, has been a big part of making this happen, along with the encouragement of close friends and family. My hope is to help you see that life is beauty filled -- in nature and within us. At the same time, I strive to offer a cultivated collection of vintage, boutique and fine botanic goods -- gardening tools, books, seeds, terra cotta pottery, unique house plants and perennials -- and to support local makers. I also believe that each of us is made with a creative spirit, and it needs to be nurtured! So be sure to check our workshop schedule and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
And please stop in our boutique for a cup of tea, a cup of coffee and to shop, visit or join an event. I'd love to get to know you.
