Laila's Wonderfully Made Goods: It's All in the Name

Mrs. Tia Devette – a lovely member of our community that has given us the gift of Laila’s Wonderfully Made Goods, a Newberry bakery that is catching the attention of baked good enthusiasts everywhere.

Her story starts out sweet as ever, as she began baking as a hobby with her ‘momma’ around the age of 12. When Christmas time rolled around her mother often had a few weeks off of work, so the pair would bake treats to eat while watching holiday movies. From there, Tia’s love for baking continued to grow with her and today she shares that love with her children.

Based on her children’s love for baking and helping in the kitchen, Tia and her family decided to open Laila’s Wonderfully Made Goods in January of 2018. Tia believes her business is to benefit her children’s futures, saying, “We never want them to work for anyone else, so it’s our responsibility to make sure they have their own businesses.”

The business name is cute and catchy, but surely packed with a good message. Tia explains: “Laila is our only daughter, and Psalm 139:14 is one of her favorite scriptures: ‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well’. The phrase ‘wonderfully made’ also describes the care with which we make our goods.” Heartwarming, to say at the very least.

Laila plays a big part in the business, too, and takes credit for more than just the name. She works alongside her older brother, Zavier, and younger brother, Benjamin. Tia says that Proverbs 22:6 is the foundation for the way she and her husband have raised their children: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. With that, the kids do everything from dishes, to running the register, to baking. They surely put the ‘family’ in family business. Tia reflects and says, “To be able to see them work every day, and sincerely enjoy it, brings us unspeakable joy.”

Laila’s Wonderfully Made Goods provides all kinds of unique sweets – ranging from original recipes to southern classics. Inherited cookbooks from grandmothers have provided the foundations of southern classics, but most others are completely original to Tia, of which she says “the creativity is honestly a gift from The Lord. [She] can take no credit from that.” See Tia’s creativity on display through her many different recipes, such as macaroons, or appreciate her classics (served with a side of nostalgia). One of Tia’s favorite things to bake is their signature vanilla pound cake; it received her granddaddy’s blessing years ago and has never been modified since. Tia herself highly recommends it to her customers. Now, things are expanding to more than just sweet treats. Lunch options are coming soon, along with Tia’s to-die-for chicken salad and pimento cheese.

There’s nothing like food to put a smile on your face, and the Devette family knows this well. They all say that Laila’s is inspired by a couple of things: “the love for baking, the satisfaction of creating and working with our hands, and our customers’ appreciation for our products.”

Laila’s Wonderfully Made Goods are available at formerly known The Corner Scoop, which is now Laila's Place, on a daily basis, Monday- Friday, 11am-5pm, with varying hours on Saturday and Sunday. The best way to reach Laila’s is through Facebook messenger. She can also be reached at Laila's Place at (803)276-3172. Custom orders are welcomed! Visit her brand new website lailasplace.com.

I Love Lucy's (and Look at Her Shoes!)

Summer is here and the weather isn't the only thing that's HOT - Lucy's on Main has the best options to make sure your shoe game is on fire this season.

Casey Shirey, Lucy's owner, has a love for all things fashion. Using the nickname "Lucy" that her parents gifted her as a child, Casey opened her very own boutique to provide her community with quality products. She is focused on accommodating every woman, no matter their size, style, or age. Casey says that she believes Newberry is a "mature yet casual" town and wants her selections to reflect that, while adding just a little flare.

Lucy's focuses on quality and comfort more than anything. A pair from the downtown location are sure to provide you with a great wearing experience for a very long time. Brands such as Sam Edelman, Matisse, Kork-Ease, and Chocolat Blu grace the shelves of Lucy's and offer shoppers a unique selection.

Styling a unique pair of shoes can sometimes be the hardest part, but Casey contends that denim is almost always a great pairing to make your outfit a little more casual in the daytime.

Versatility is key, and Lucy's styles can transition from a denim ensemble to a cute dress without blinking an eye.

Denim is, and always will be, a staple piece in everyone's closet. To ensure that you have the right pair of jeans to rock with your new kicks, Lucy's has an awesome selection of denim to choose from. Her trendiest pairs have some flare - literally. Bell bottoms are back and better than ever and pair great with a cute pair of wedges. White, orange, star, or washed denim - Lucy's has a pair for you. Casey reports that bell bottoms are "trendy but also timeless, and are shaping to any figure."

With other accessories, like handbags and jewelry, Lucy's is the perfect stop to make sure your outfit is on point. Visit her facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LucysNewberry/, for more info or stop by to see her in store!

Pet-Friendly in Newberry

There is no one better to spend the day with than your four-legged companions. They're the best friends you can ask for, after all. Here are some of the best places to go with your furry friends to have a paws-itively good time in Newberry:

Start out your morning by dropping by Starbucks to get your favorite coffee and a pick-me-up for your pet. When pulling up to the drive-thru, tell your barista you have a pup in tow and ask for a puppuccino (they'll know exactly what you're talking about). When you pull up to the window, you'll receive a tall starbucks cup full of whipped cream, made especially for your bestest friend. If you want to sit and savor your drink, you can enjoy the open patio area in front of the store. No promises that your doggo won't finish their puppuccino in a hurry, though (warning; it's yummy).

Newberry College has a gorgeous campus to take a stroll around and, not to mention - it's completely pet-friendly. Walk around and see all the historic buildings and, if you can, catch a sporting event while you're there. Newberry's Baseball and Softball fields at the Smith Road Complex always welcome four-legged friends and provide a great environment to sit back and enjoy a game. There is even a green area that your friend can explore while you catch a few innings. Visit newberrywolves.com to find out game times for every sport on campus!

Pelican's Snoballs is the best place to get a sweet treat with your best bud! They offer Pup Cups, which are snow cones made especially for your pet in fun flavors like peanut butter. Pick up a refreshing treat for yourself, as well (there are so many flavors to choose from), and enjoy them in the spacious outdoor sitting area behind Pelican's.

Take a short drive out to the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail to enjoy a nice hike with your favorite companion. Make sure to stop at the Broad River Trestle, a highlight of the trail, spanning more than 1,000 feet. Find directions to the trail and more details at https://palmettoconservation.org/passage/peak-to-prosperity-passage/.

The most important part of your day is making memories with your best friend. No matter what you do or where you go, cherish the time spent with your four-legged friends. No one will ever be as loyal to you as they will, so give them the kind of day in Newberry that they dese