WILBER, NE — There’s new life in an old building in downtown Wilber.

Lori Mueller moved her handmade crafts and apparel boutique into a newly renovated space on Main Street this month. The shop is fresh to this location, but also represents a fresh start for Mueller.

“It feels like I’m starting new because I’m in a business by myself. You know, I don’t have a partner or anyone at home to come home to, but it’s something I’ve been doing quite a long time.”

Mueller sold crafts under the business name L Creations for 18 years. She held barn to shop events and was partner in a storefront called Threads and Grain in Firth for a year until the pandemic hit. After a shakeup in her personal life, she rebranded her boutique as Maddy in June, after her four-year-old daughter’s name and month of birth.

“She has been a big helper over the last couple years with some of my projects - whether it’s putting her little touch on it or destroying it so I have to redo it. I just thought Maddy in June was pretty catching. Maybe someday it will be something I can give to her and she can keep doing it.”

Her family’s influence goes beyond the name. Mueller made hand-stamped necklaces and tags for her parents and siblings after her brother died in 2013. She now makes custom hand-stamped jewelry and sells items in the store.

“Each piece that I made was in memory of somebody. So it just kind of pulled at the heartstrings that I was helping them get through something in their life.”

Her son contributes hand-made ladders to the boutique and they’ve become some of the most popular items. The shop’s custom clothing, refurbished furniture and seasonal decor also sold well through the first month.

“It just kind of feels like it’s meant to be, like this is where I’m supposed to be at in my life.”

You can find more details on the boutique's Facebook page.

Hours: Thursday 4:30-8:30, Friday 10:00-5:00, Saturday 9:00-1:00