By Kate Bartlett
The Shabby Shrub Shop is an eclectic mix of vintage wares and new home goods with a rustic farmhouse vibe in the historic district of Lakewood, NY. Local owner and founder Amy Pike curates a look of new and old, carefully selecting all items in the shop and rotating seasonally.
Amy was born and raised in Jamestown, NY and always had an eye for interior design. “I remember going through catalogues when I was in elementary school, cutting out pictures of things I liked,” recalls Amy. “I loved browsing different looks and playing around with different styles. I wanted to go to school for interior design, but she was guided towards a career with a more dependable income.”
The Shabby Shrub. A fun sign created and hand painted by the Shrub team.
Amy graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a Masters in School Counseling and worked as a teacher, bank manager, medical office manager, and human resources supervisor over the years. “I was always following the money,” recalls Amy. She then got into the boating business in Chautauqua, and in 2015 she began stocking home décor in her boat shop in Ashville. “The décor sold very well,” says Amy. “I was encouraged by this and started to consider opening my own retail shop.”
According to Amy, the shop evolved organically through word of mouth and social media. “I was selling more and more décor items from the family boating business, Extreme Marine. “I enjoyed it and people seemed to really like it.” She travelled to Atlanta, Georgia for specialized training in furniture painting with milk paint and was encouraged to “shout it from the rooftops” about her little business. It was the final push that turned the Shabby Shrub in to a bustling little place with special events, painting workshops, and an established customer base.
the doors to a new location
for The Shabby Shrub at 32
Chautauqua Ave in Lakewood.
The upper level of the shop is
a unique Air B&B Experience,
The Village Inn, that Amy renovated
with repurposed wood
from the old Kent House Hotel.
In fall of 2024 Amy opened the doors to a new location for The Shabby Shrub at 32 Chautauqua Ave in Lakewood. The name is derived from her maiden name, Bush, and it spoke to her style. “It just kind of suited me,” laughs Amy. With lots of help from family and friends, Amy completely renovated the building, flipping from a dilapidated building into the charming boutique it is today. The upper level of the shop is a unique Air B&B Experience, The Village Inn, that Amy renovated with repurposed wood from the old Kent House Hotel. It’s decorated in her vintage farmhouse style with old postcards of Chautauqua Lake, repurposed items, and apothecary items from the Shabby Shrub.
Amy describes her style as rustic farmhouse with an eye for antique and vintage finds. She enjoys salvaging items to repurpose and give a second life. “I love making old items into something new,” explains Amy. “I’m always collecting items; scouting out things I can repurpose.” Amy has traveled the country collecting items along the way. “It’s more of a lifestyle than a hobby; I’m just always on the lookout for something special.” The shop carries vintage finds from across the country including Texas, Montana, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, and more. Most of the furniture in the shop has been refinished or handcrafted by Amy and family.
The shop carries a curated selection of new and old items including home décor, furniture, apparel and self-care items including her favorite apothecary line, Los Poblanos. “This line is an incredible selection of organic lavender products that are simply divine. I feel spoiled sometimes,” laughs Amy. “In my shop I’m surrounded by all the things I love; it’s incredibly inspiring.”
Amy is deeply thankful for the support from her family. “I’m so grateful to have such a supportive, amazing family that is so involved with the store.” Her three children (Josh, 24, Mitchell, 19, Zoe, 18) all help out at the shop, and are continuously inspiring each other. Josh paints furniture and helps with day-to-day operations. Mitchell recently renovated a school bus into a luxury RV, and Zoe is currently attending Jamestown Community College for interior design, with hopes of attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Her son’s girlfriend, Brittin, is very involved at the shop. “We joke that Brittin is “Employee of the Month” every month, along with our favorite child; it’d be lost without her.”
Amy is grateful for the community support that has made her shop successful, and enjoys participating in community events throughout the year. She embraces the seasons at the shop, and shuts for a brief period every season to completely restock spring, summer, winter and fall items. She loves her location in Lakewood, just across the street from the farmer’s market and steps from Chautauqua Lake. “It’s such an incredible location; we love it here and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
For more information, follow on Facebook @ The Shabby Shrub and Instagram @shabbyshrub, call (716) 485-1106 or stop in the shop located at 32 Chautauqua Ave in Lakewood. Call ahead or check online for hours as they vary seasonally.