Tipp City Mayor Logan Rogers, left to right, holds the ribbon in front of Tasha Weaver, Downtown Tipp City Partnership Executive Director, Tom Sylvester grandfather of Bella Gray owner, next to Bella Gray Market owner Jessica Sergent who cuts the ribbon, next to her grandmother Lisa Sylvester, and daughter Hazel, while Mark Davison of Downtown Tipp City Partnership looks on, and Meredith Mckee, Tipp City Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director, hold the ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new location of the Bella Gray Market at 113 E. Main St., Tipp City.
Courtesy photo
By Kathleen Leese
For Miami Valley Today
TIPP CITY — Bella Gray Market was the dream of a mother and daughter and today, without her mother by her side, a young woman is determined to see their dream become a success.
Jessica Sergent, a 2012 Tipp City High School graduate, together with her mother, Christine Herring, began by creating a pop up business and selling their items on Etsy. It led to a storefront in Tipp City on Second Street and then the two made plans to move to the new location at 113 E. Main St., Tipp City, which celebrated its ribbon cutting and grand opening on July 26. Despite the joy of her grand opening, Jessica’s mom was not there to see it, having passed away on June 1, 2024.
“We just loved the community in downtown Tipp City,” Sergent said. “Mom started out with homemade signs. They were really popular.” Another of her mom’s creations have become a big hit with customers. “One of our best sellers are handmade candles. Mom made them (and) taught me how to make them. They are hand poured soy wax candles. It’s healthier ingredients.”
She added that they burn longer and have a wood wick that people like. She also offers wax melts.
Sergent said she sells women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, gift items and home decor. Additionally, she sells items created by local artisans including La Petite Lavender, that makes handmade sugar scrubs and locally made honey; Pine Grove Living, a children’s clothing label; Stuffie, which features crocheted stuffed animals and Wooden House Craft, which includes handcrafted wood toys.
Additionally, Sergent sells Tipp City spirit gear.
“I feel like people are always asking about that,” she said.
It is a family business with Sergent”s family helping run the store. It includes her stepdad, Alex Herring, who helps out where she needs him, her grandmother, sister and her brother’s fiancee.
Sergent said one of her favorite things about being a business owner in Tipp City is “meeting new people. I love when they come in for the first time. I’ve met many new people since moving in the past month.”
She added, “People say it’s somewhere they like to stop for unique gifts,” noting it is also affordable.
Sergent said another draw for her business is “people love the downtown (Tipp City).” She added that people who live in town visit the store, but she finds that they see customers who travel from other areas to shop there.
Her mother is never far from her mind.
“She was very encouraging. She was sick for awhile. She let me know she believed in me,” she said, adding that her mom was “(the) most creative person I know. She encouraged me to keep going with the shop. I’m glad I did.”
But Sergent also has another reason to see the store become a success. She is the mother of two little girls including Hazel and Luna and wants to be a good example to them.
“Being a mom of two young daughters, I’m proud of running my own business,” she said.
The store is open seven days a week with hours on Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
On Aug. 31, Bella Gray Market will be part of Tippapalooza, a downtown event. She noted they will have extended hours that evening and a 15% off sale store-wide.
Sergent hopes everyone will stop by her store.
She said, “I would say that we just love for anyone to stop in and check out our items for themselves.”
The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.
