Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Krejci, Campbell, Breit, Kell
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 12/26/2018
Realizing Her Potential (New Store - 29 October 2018)
By Valerie Brecht
Sabrina Krejci, 19, of Neillsville has had a great deal of struggles, growing up. But she is finding ways to overcome those struggles each and every day. Opening her own store has been a big part of that journey.
Sabrina’s store called “Bell, Book and Candle,” opened in Neillsville Oct. 29. Last Monday , Sabrina officially celebrated the store’s opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
(Photo of Ribbon Cutting)
Sabrina Krejci of Neillsville celebrated the grand opening of her store “Bell, Book and Candle” last Monday, the store is operated out of Dylan’s Den on 4th Street. Shown are: (l-r): Neillsville area Chamber of Commerce president Diane Kren, Neillsville Mayor Chuck Glassbrenner, Sabrina’s mother Mandy Krejci, Sabrina and Sabrina’s boyfriend Preston Catalano. (Valerie Brecht/Clark County Press)
However, the road to opening the store hasn’t been easy.
Sabrina has an auto-processing disorder, which means that “she doesn’t process everything that we say normal[ly],” Sabrina’s Mom Mandy explained.
Because of her disorder, Sabrina had to be in special education her entire life.
“She struggled her entire life and so, doing math, talking to people, she’s very uncomfortable because everybody’s talking so fast and she doesn’t get what they’re saying.”
Sabrina also wrestled with depression and anxiety in her teen years.
“So, this [opening a new store] she never thought was possible for her. But she’s learning cues, she’s learning how to overcome,” said Mandy.
Sabrina decided she wanted to open her own store after seeing her friend Stacie Campbell’s store. Campbell Owned the Neillsville store Resurrect. Sabina has been to Resurrect many times over the past couple of years and like what Stacie was doing there.
“I have always like Stacie’s store and I was inspired by that and I wanted to make my own unique little store,” said Sabrina.
As it turned out, Resurrect ended up closing and so a lot of items there got moved to Sabrina’s store..
“It worked out really well,” said Campbell.
Within a few short weeks of work, Sabina’s store was up and running. Bell, Book and Candle is at Dylan’s Den, 132 East 4th Street, Neillsville.
Dylan’s Den was started by Suzi Breit in 2017 in honor of her son, Dylan Kell, who committed suicide when he was 22. Dylan’s Den is a place for young people who may be dealing with depression, anxiety, bullying or other issues to go and find support. Mandy has been involved with Dylan’s Den since the beginning and so it was a natural fit for Sabrina to operate her store from there.
Since the store’s opening, Mandy said that a lot of young people who have hard Sabrina’s story have reached out to her to show their support of what she’s doing.
“She’s gotten a lot of messages saying how inspiring her story is and that if she can make it, they can make it, that type of thing,” said Mandy.
Although it’s ben a learning curve, Sabrina has enjoyed her time operating the store so far.
“I think she’s benefitted a lot from it. She’s out of her room, she’s coming out of her comfort zone, she’s learning that each and every day she can do it, she can be in front of people, she can be productive, she can be a part of society,” said Mandy.
Sabrina’s family and friends, along with local officials, were at the ribbon cutting to wish her well.
“I think it’s a good thing for Sabrina to go out on her own and make a name for herself,” said Neillsville Mayor Chuck Glassbrenner.
Bell, Book and Candle sells a variety of items; including home décor items, soaps, honey, candles and more. Consignors bring in their items to see. The store is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, find Bell, Book and Candle on Facebook.
