Close your eyes and imagine this picturesque sight: Floor to ceiling local art as far as the eye can see. Succulents lined in dainty rows. Handcrafted ceramics stacked neatly on a nearby table and wall-to-wall treasures waiting to be found. This scene is not only a shopper’s paradise, but it also perfectly describes Rebecca Puig’s Sugarboo & Co., a Brookhaven shop that is a self-proclaimed specialist in whimsy. Spend any length of time in Sugarboo & Co., and you’ll be captivated by the store’s vortex; there is something pulling you into every nook and cranny. A basket of metal letters here and a collection of candles there. There’s something new around every corner.
Owner and artist Rebecca says customers delight in the store’s eclectic nature. “I love that people come into the store calling it their ‘happy place.’ I think that’s our biggest achievement: spreading happiness.” And it’s true. Sugarboo & Co. is a beautiful, eclectic space that shoppers can truly get lost in for hours. Even the music playing subtly in the background sings the soul of the store.
Rebecca, an Atlanta native, has an art background, holding a BFA from the University of Georgia in studio art, but says that she’s always been drawn to interiors and composition. “Even as a little girl, I was rearranging my room and really into the aesthetics of my little space. I have not had any formal training in the design arena; I am a self-taught gal in that department.”
Formally trained or not, Rebecca has a keen eye for design that’s evident in the way that Sugarboo & Co. is arranged, as well as the line of pillows, bags, T-shirts, paper, art and more that she has self-created from the mother company, Sugarboo Designs.
Rebecca says Sugarboo & Co., named after her nicknames for her two children, Jake and Sophie, came about organically. “During my travels, I found really great pieces, and I wanted a place to share my finds and my art, so Sugarboo & Co. was born.” And great, unique pieces abound in the store.
Rebecca is the artist behind most of the art hanging on the walls of the shop and supplies the store with many of her own designs. But it’s not just about providing the best art and trinkets for the store; it’s about the thought that goes into each and every item. “My favorite thing about the store is that we really are all about helping our customers find the perfect gift or help make a home more soulful,” Rebecca says. “And I adore gifts and gift-giving. I especially love a gift that is perfectly suited for its recipient.”
When looking for a new brand to carry, Sugarboo & Co. works hard to support local artists whenever possible. Rebecca adds, “I also like fair trade. I’m drawn to companies that have soul and are a little off the beaten path, and I love almost anything handmade and organic.” It’s not surprising then that Rebecca is so drawn to organic items considering that Sugarboo & Co.’s empire stretches beyond the walls of the Brookhaven shop and into its very own farm. “Sugarboo Farms is our farm in Blairsville, GA. We love that farm and love sharing it with our visitors. We rent it out for family reunions, weddings, corporate events and [to] anyone who is interested in enjoying the great outdoors without having to pitch a tent. We have 15 sleeping porches to make camping a bit more comfortable. It really is a great little place!”
With a design studio, two shop locations (the second is at The Collection at Forsyth) and a farm, there isn’t anything that Rebecca can’t do. She describes Sugarboo & Co. as being eclectic, soulful and ever-changing. “We just take it day by day and let the business grow organically.” When asked about the future of Sugarboo & Co., Rebecca says, “We do have people coming in almost every day asking us if we would open a store in other states, so we are kicking around the idea of Sugarboo traveling a little.”
With its unique finds and impending expansions, Sugarboo & Co. has longevity. Ultimately, however, it’s not about the shop’s success, but rather the joy the shop brings. “Our mission is to put good things into the world and spread happiness.” To that, we say mission accomplished!
Sugarboo & Co. is located at 804 Town Blvd., Ste. 1070 in Brookhaven. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at sugarbooandco.com.
