501 Faire

As we enter the final stretch of 2023 and usher in the holiday season, our focus naturally turns to creating a warm, cozy, and inviting abode. But if the idea of ensuring each of your family members and friends has the perfect gift is a stressor, the team at 501 Faire Home Goods and Gifts has you covered. 

Gena Bunker and Chloe Hathcote own 501 Faire Home Goods and Gifts, at 114 N. Market Street in Benton. This mother/daughter duo began their business on a dare in 2021 and never looked back. Chloe came to her mother and stepfather with a business idea. On a dare from her stepfather, Russ, urged Chloe to convince her mother to retire from her multi-decade career in the corporate world. 

“I grew up with my mom working and traveling, and as I looked at the trajectory of my own career, I thought the same could be possible for my career. I wanted to do something else,” explains Chloe.

Within 10 weeks Chloe had successfully convinced her mom to join her business adventure, and she and Gena secured 900 square-feet and launched the business concept in October 2021. 501 Faire carries gift items, furniture, accessories such as lamps, pillows, coffee table books and artwork, as well as an extensive wedding registry. They also carry gift items for nearly any occasion, and one can shop in-person or online. “In our family, we love giving gifts, it’s our love language. So, we became a gift shop/home decor store,” said Chloe. 

For Gena and Chloe, taking the dare paid off. Customers and the business community championed their business. “Downtown Benton supported us 1000%,” said Gena. With their business up and running, Gena officially retired in January 2022.

“We always had a clear vision of what we could do,” said Chloe. “I’m pretty creative and this job got me back into the community after the pandemic. I enjoyed going to the office and I missed working with others. I was going stir crazy. I wanted us to venture off and challenge ourselves to make it work.”

With support from the community 501 Faire quickly outgrew its space, and in July 2022, Gena and Russ purchased a prime location in Benton: 114 N. Market Street. Their current location holds a rich history. Built in the 1930s, the building originally served as a hardware and mercantile store, selling similar items to Benton customers nearly 100 years ago. Throughout the years, it served as different businesses and most recently as a pawn shop. Once Gena and Russ bought it, the entire family—along with super supportive friends—worked to restore the historical building to its original charm. 

A labor of love, Gena and Chloe researched the building and led the effort to restore its ceiling andoriginal wood and concrete floors, along with front and back doors, to their former glory. With patience and persistence, they managed to recreate the celebrated craftsmanship of nearly 100 years ago. 

“I researched the building with the historical society across the street from us. They provided us with pictures of the original building and that was our inspiration to take it back to the small-town feeling,” explains Gena. “It’s magical and a nostalgic place for the older generation. They come in and say, ‘I remember where the stairs were,’ or ‘I recall running through the store after getting ice cream.’ To see the pictures of what it was—the original owner carried European furnishings and even one of the first ice boxes. This is us; this is what we stand for. The things we have found tell a story. The family of the original great grandchildren have taken a picture of the sign with their grandmother.”

With the nearly 3,000 square-foot space, 501 Faire offers a bridal registry, and this holiday season corporate and client gifts will be available. You can also customize your wishlist and keep it year-round, completely removing the guesswork for birthdays and holidays this year. Also, be sure to stop by the store to see the whimsical winter wonderland filled to the brim with holiday gifts! 

Make your gift giving list a little less stressful this season and let Chloe and Gena at 501 Faire take care of all your holiday shopping needs—they’ll even gift wrap it for you!