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Peacocks and Properties At a Unique New Shop
Peacocks and Properties At a Unique New Shop
By Michele Husfelt
The peacocks proudly strut their feathers on a shelf in the small, yet warm and inviting space Beckwith Bolle has created on South Madison Street in Middleburg.
One might describe it as an antique shop, and rightfully so. However, the history and mission of The Accidental Peacock lends itself to perhaps be considered as a gathering place for many special treasures waiting for new homes and more fond memories.
Bolle, owner of Carter Braxton Preferred Properties, “accidentally” stumbled upon a unique concept of helping her real estate clients who needed assistance when facing the daunting task of downsizing and selling their homes. Many clients were reluctant to let go of family heirlooms or treasured collectibles for fear they would end up in the landfill.
With her expertise in both antiques and real estate, she discovered an opportunity to offer a full service to her clients, including the clean out, renovation, and sale of their homes. It is a win-win situation.
What began as a pop-up shop in August, 2023 quickly became a full-time operation. People were excited about the unusual items the shop offered. Many customers visit the store weekly due to the quickly moving and one-of-a-kind inventory.
When asked about her favorite clients, she quickly said, “they’re ALL my favorites!”
One of her favorite stories also explains the name of the store. When she acquired a house to sell in Washington state, she scheduled painters and other workers to help with renovations. The heirs had arranged for the items in the house to be sold, however, and the buyers backed out at the last minute.
Relying on her past experience as a retailer and having already spied the two beautiful brass peacocks in the lot, Beckwith made an offer and bought the contents of the home.
She was particularly excited about the peacocks and rented a storage unit to house her newly found treasures. A few days later, the heir called her to let her know she wanted to keep the peacocks. Disappointed, and not sure what to do with a storage unit of items she didn’t even want, Bolle was elated when the following week the heir phoned again to say her husband told her she was crazy, and didn’t need the brass peacocks. Beckwith could keep them. She vowed then that she would sell all the treasures except the peacocks. They would stay in the shop forever.
“When you go into these homes and someone has either passed away or gone into an assisted living facility,” Bolle said, “you feel an incredible sadness that they loved all their things and all they want is someone else to love them, too. And then someone comes in the shop and says, ‘Oh, my. I love this. This needs to come home with me!’ The feel-good feeling is taking the beautiful items from these homes and watching other people find joy in them.”
She said she feels a great sense of responsibility, along with a true privilege to serve the community in these ways.
“We’re always looking for ways to give back to the community and to our clients,” she said.
Clearly, The Accidental Peacock does both.
