By Gerri Miller

EAN Staff Writer

Becky Bowman wanted a place in downtown Wetumpka to sell her sweets and breads she baked from her Granny Gracie’s recipes, but she found building rental prices to be more than she could afford.

She was selling her products at Farmers’ Markets, craft and holiday shows where they were popular items that sold quickly.

“I started working with the Small Business Administration to maybe get a loan, but it got to be overwhelming for me,” she said.

Bowman, 55, has multiple sclerosis and she was two weeks away from her next infusion treatment and in severe pain when her SBA advisor called and asked if she was ready to move forward on the project.

“I said no and that the only way I would have a shop in downtown was if the Lord opened a door for me,” Bowman said

Bowman said the next day she was contacted by Shellie Whitfield, executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. “She said she had something to show me,” Bowman said.

And the door was opened wide.

Whitfield and Jenny Stubbs of Main Street Wetumpka had the perfect solution for Bowman. It came in the form of a small container-type box that could be turned into a shop for Bowman. At the time it sat in an empty lot.

Main Street Wetumpka moved it to a busy location next to Thai Town Original and in front of Coaches Corner – a perfect spot for visitors going from hot new businesses such as George’s River Market & Butchery to Nick of Thyme, Oil & Vinegar.

Main Street Wetumpka pitched in to help by painting the box store a bright yellow and blue, putting her logo on the door and making signs for the new business. The business is named Gracie’s Sweet Things in memory of Bowman’s grandmother.

Bowman said her 32-year-old son designed the logo and it has special meaning for her family. It consists of a yellow rose with three leaves. The rose represents Bowman, and the three leaves represent her three children – two of whom were twins she lost at birth. She said her son is an artist who lives in Vermont and they talk nearly every day.

Bowman was raised in Prattville and now lives in Millbrook. She said she lived in Savannah, Ga., for 18 years. “The Lord told me to come home,” she said.

She will soon celebrate her grand opening and said she is looking forward to meeting the people of the Wetumpka area. Her top products are her four kinds of peanut brittle in peanut, coffee, cayenne pepper and toasted pecan coconut flavors. She sells artisan breads, compound butter and scrumptious little four-inch cheesecakes. She has granny’s recipes for her pound cakes and a variety of cookies.

“My granny was always in the kitchen making sweet things. She is my inspiration,” Bowman said.

She said the day after Thanksgiving, her granny would start making cookies and other sweets all the way until Christmas Eve. “I am like her in that I enjoy being in the kitchen,” she said. “It’s like therapy for me.”

Bowman said she feels blessed to be part of such a surge in the development of downtown Wetumpka. “This is amazing. It’s been such an adventure for me.” she said. “I am so glad that I get to be part of such an exciting time for our city. I have met such wonderful people.”

Her hours of operation are on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can pay with cash, debit cards or credit cards.

You can keep up with Bowman on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Gracies-Sweet-Things-121009119293957.

See more photos of some Sweet Treats below!