{"id":12925,"date":"2026-05-04T18:01:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T22:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dunejewelry.com\/blog\/?p=12925"},"modified":"2026-05-04T18:01:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T22:01:16","slug":"mama-knows-best-the-moms-of-dune-retail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dunejewelry.com\/blog\/mama-knows-best-the-moms-of-dune-retail\/","title":{"rendered":"Mama Knows Best: The Moms of Dune Retail"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is something unmistakable about a mother\u2019s influence.<\/span><\/p>\n

The way she shows up. The way she remembers. The way she gives, often without ever being asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Dune, so many of the stories we help tell begin with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Mother\u2019s Day, we\u2019re celebrating a few of the incredible women behind our retail partners\u2014mothers who are not only building businesses, but building something lasting alongside their families. Through their stories, you\u2019ll find what makes Dune so meaningful: connection, memory, and the places that shape us.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mermaid\u2019s Tale<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

Amherst, Ohio<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i> Owner & Mom: Judy Recknagel<\/b>
\n<\/b> Daughter: Stacey Recknagel<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tell us about your store and your role in the business.<\/b>
\n<\/b> The Mermaid\u2019s Tale is a fashion-savvy boutique specializing in jewelry, clothing, handbags, and shoes<\/a>. We\u2019ve been in business for 24 years and are the anchor store in our downtown. I am the owner. I do the buying with my daughter Stacey, take care of the finances, and handle all floor sets and most of the display.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who do you work with, and what does sharing the business with family mean to you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> I work with my daughter, Stacey. She has been with me since she was a little girl. My hope is that one day the business will continue with her at the helm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What inspires you about your daughter?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Stacey is amazing with customer service and problem-solving.<\/span><\/p>\n

What draws you to Dune Jewelry?<\/b>
\n<\/b> I fell in love with Dune Jewelry the moment I saw it years ago. I\u2019ve created many special pieces for friends and family. Customers love it because it\u2019s so personal. You can commemorate vacations, weddings, and so many meaningful occasions.<\/span><\/p>\n

What advice would you give to other mothers?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Spend time with your children. Listen to them and have patience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you share a meaningful Dune moment?<\/b>
\n<\/b> I travel with eight girlfriends. When the first of us turned 70, we designed a bracelet with sand from all the places we had traveled together. She cried when she received it, and so did the rest of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Stacey<\/b><\/h3>\n

What does working in the business mean to you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> I am the Inventory Manager and Buyer. We also have an outstanding team of employees who have truly become family.<\/span><\/p>\n

What did your mom teach you?<\/b>
\n<\/b>My own mom taught me the importance of friendship, loyalty, ethics, and hard work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do customers connect with Dune?<\/b>
\n<\/b> The experience and the ability to customize. Even when customers choose the same design, it becomes completely different because of the story behind it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you recommend for Mother\u2019s Day?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Anything from the Wave Collection. As Holly says, \u201cHappiness comes in waves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What memory would you capture?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Sanibel Island. My family has been going there since 1989. I collect small shells and would love to turn them into designs for my mom and others who shared those memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

A favorite customer moment?<\/b>
\n<\/b> A customer came in after a trip to Italy and showed me photos of the grottos. The water was the most incredible blue. We immediately created a design to capture that moment for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit the Mermaid’s Tale.<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes! Gallery \/ JW Graham<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

North Kingstown, Rhode Island<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i> Owner & Mom: Julie Beebe<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tell us about your store.<\/b>
\n<\/b> I\u2019m the \u201cMom\u201d of our \u201cMom & Pop\u201d shop, originally opened in 1980<\/a>. I focus on what I love most\u2014finding and curating unique products, merchandising, working with customers, and building our team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who do you work with?<\/b>
\n<\/b> My husband handles the bookkeeping and tech. Our strengths are very different, and that balance works beautifully.<\/span><\/p>\n

What did your mother teach you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Work hard, but put family first. Sitting down together every night mattered. It still does.<\/span><\/p>\n

What inspires you about your daughter?<\/b>
\n<\/b> When she works with us, I\u2019m always struck by how calm and steady she is, even when we\u2019re busy. It\u2019s a perfect balance to my energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Dune?<\/b>
\n<\/b> The customization. We love sending in sands and even cremains to create something deeply meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n

What sells for Mother\u2019s Day?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Anything nautical\u2014especially waves. Our customers love capturing their favorite local beaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A memory you\u2019ve captured?<\/b>
\n<\/b> We brought home red sand from Red Rocks, and also turned sands from Italy and Greece into keepsakes for our family. Those pieces will be cherished forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

A meaningful customer moment?<\/b>
\n<\/b> When customers bring in cremains, it becomes something more than jewelry. It\u2019s about honoring someone they love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advice for moms?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Find time for yourself. Be with people who make you laugh. And give yourself grace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your motherhood element?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Sand. Sometimes smooth, sometimes sharp. Always grounding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discover Yes! Gallery \/ JW Graham.<\/a><\/p>\n

O\u2019Connor\u2019s<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

East Tawas, Michigan<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i> Owner & Mom: Aimee O\u2019Connor<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tell us about your store.<\/b>
\n<\/b> We are a third-generation store founded in 1948<\/a>. My husband and I took over in 2019. Many of our customers have shopped with us for generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does working with family mean to you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> My daughter started working with me last year. Watching her step into the business has brought me so much joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

What did your mother teach you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Consistency. Always showing up. Supporting without trying to change someone.<\/span><\/p>\n

What inspires you about your daughter?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Her confidence and ability to connect with customers so naturally.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Why Dune?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Each design tells a story. It gives customers a way to carry their memories with them every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out O’Connor’s.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Brass Alligator<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

Bonita Springs, Florida<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i> Owner & Mom: Brenda Atkinson<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"
Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tell us about your store.<\/b>
\n<\/b> I opened The Brass Alligator to create something I could do with my daughters. It\u2019s become an incredible adventure.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

What does working together mean to you?<\/b>
\n<\/b> We love working together\u2014most of the time. Each of us brings a different perspective, which makes the store feel dynamic and fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

What inspires you about your daughters?<\/b>
\n<\/b> Their ideas and how naturally they understand social media LOL (I wish).<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Mi Tesoro?<\/b>
\n<\/b> The quality, the price point, and the ease of working with all the ladies at the company, which makes everything such an easy process!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What do you recommend for Mother\u2019s Day?<\/b>
\n<\/b> The Heart Toggle Necklace. It\u2019s been a favorite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Advice for moms?<\/b>
\n<\/b> After 20 years as a single parent, you just make it work. Chaos is part of the balance\u2014and we love every minute of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t miss the Brass Alligator.<\/a><\/p>\n

For Every Mom, Everywhere<\/b><\/h2>\n

Each of these stories reminds us of something simple, yet powerful:<\/span><\/p>\n

The most meaningful gifts aren\u2019t just given. They\u2019re lived.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Mother\u2019s Day, whether you\u2019re celebrating a place, a moment, or the woman who made it all possible, create something she can carry forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because the best stories don\u2019t stay behind.<\/span>
\n<\/span> They stay with us.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":12936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[258],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nMama Knows Best: The Moms of Dune Retail<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This Mother\u2019s Day, we\u2019re celebrating a few of the mothers who are building businesses, and something lasting alongside their families.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dunejewelry.com\/blog\/mama-knows-best-the-moms-of-dune-retail\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mama Knows Best: The Moms of Dune Retail\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This Mother\u2019s Day, we\u2019re celebrating a few of the mothers who are building businesses, and something lasting alongside their families.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dunejewelry.com\/blog\/mama-knows-best-the-moms-of-dune-retail\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dune Jewelry - 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