It’s great fun to BE in this new Chestnut Hill business

Molly Ellis, owner of BE, 8127b Germantown Ave., with her “right hand,” Katie Warwick Schreiner. (Photo by Pat Stokes)

by PAT STOKES

Dating myself: years ago there was a goofy song “Shut the door; they’re comin’ in the window. Shut the window they’re comin’ in the door,” words that instantly came to mind as I perched on a chair near the counter in “BE,” Chestnut Hill’s wildly popular monogramming shop. Truly, during my recent visit, there was a nonstop parade of people arriving, leaving and lining up at the counter for the special goodies offered by this small treasure of a shop.

Admittedly, one particular group was made up of mostly 13-year-olds, off from school on a special holiday and brought there by one dedicated mom who left, then reappeared later to take them away when they were ready. So maybe they didn’t need monograms, but were mighty enthusiastic about the grosgrain hair ribbons that they found and the fun they had giggling there together.

Workmen — and later another friend — also came and went while the phone rang steadily. All this is taken in stride by owner Molly Ellis, who, she says, has been at this about a year, having opened in June of 2004. BE is at 8127b Germantown Ave., an address they share with the last column’s subject, Lemon and Limes.

One is always curious about special names, and Molly explains that BE is for Babies, Brides, Bridesmaids, Best man, Bermuda Bags and on and on. Truly so many things are enhanced when personalized by a monogram — including graduation, hostess and housewarming gifts — any of which you’ll find right there at BE. Molly listens to the customer’s description of the person receiving the gift, then chooses the design and color of the letters to fit the giftee.

She surely has an innate sense for all this, rounded out by her studies at the Parsons School in New York where she studied designing and merchandising. She became a sales rep there for a company called Eileen Fisher (women’s clothing), but came to Philadelphia when her husband was transferred here. She was busy, so I looked around and noticed that summer handbags in luscious colors are a big item right now, from $25 to $85 including monogramming, plus other carryall bags, large and small. Behind the counter is a wall full of colored ribbons with key-rings attached. Ribbons can be monogrammed of course.

Baby things, of course, are the most sought-after items, from the tiny onesies baby shirts to the adorable top-and-diaper-cover sets to hooded towels, crib blankets and pillow covers.

One of BE’s special features is a line of children’s handmade clothing designed and made by Cassandra Myer Surer. Cassandra and her sister, Julia Myer Ward (now a Chestnut Hill community activist), went to school with two of my daughters and were part of my weekly carpool. Later, all grown up and married, Cassandra found herself in Beijing where her husband’s business took him for a while. There, she became interested in designing, and brought out her own private label “Courtyard 4” (their Beijing address). The little dresses have matching bloomers, and there are shirt and short sets for little boys. They come in highly colored eclectic patterns and also traditional ones.

Another bit of local color: Molly’s assistant (“my right hand,” says Molly) is Katie Warwick Schreiner, whose great aunt, Ginny Warwick, is a board member of Bird in Hand. Everybody seems to know everybody else here. Molly says, “It’s like a soda bar,” with friends and customers popping in and out, even leaving messages for one another.

The big moment of my visit was a demonstration of the “star wars” computer that turns out those super professional-looking monograms. There are really three machines: one programs the size and the style of the letters; another controls the color of the thread; the third does the actual sewing. It’s great fun to watch the letters grow under the needle with Molly masterfully guiding it.

The newly-created workroom where all this magic takes place looks out onto Laurel Hill Gardens and adjoins Lemons and Limes, making a humming little activity center, where it is nice to just BE. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30 – 4:30 (and sometimes Sunday and Monday). Phone: 215-247-8787. See you on the Avenue.