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If you are looking for a fabulous place to find unique and creative items – this lovely boutique is for you! Not only does it have amazing decor to enhance your home’s beauty and exceptional gifts to give friends and family – it also has a wealth of custom made furniture that is absolutely spectacular.
WFV Designs is located at 186 North Broad St., Suite 102 (behind Mooresville Ice Cream Shop) in Downtown Mooresville. This remarkable store is owned by a trio of talented individuals: Tim & Kelly Lail and Jessica Leonhardt.
Tim is the talented artisan and woodworker who creates gorgeous personal items and pieces of furniture from the vision of his customers. The store is filled with his creations. “If you dream it and describe it, Tim can make it,” says co-owner Jessica Leonhardt. Kelly (Tim’s wife) is the innovative designer and also considered to be the “plant guru.” On Sundays, customers can find her in the shop setting up the displays which makes this “hidden treasure” truly inviting the moment a customer walks through the door. Jessica shops for the specialty items to put on the shelves; in addition, she is the secret ingredient in running the store’s operations efficiently and is the self-described party planner. “My parents are both former business owners,” claims Jessica. “I have the entrepreneurial spirit in my blood.”
Both Kelly and Jessica have full time jobs in addition to their commitments at WFV Designs; as a result, they rely on Jessica’s mother – fondly called Momma L who is retired — to run the retail aspect of the store during the week.
Tim is originally from Gaston County. Kelly (a native of upstate New York) has lived in the Charlotte area for more than twenty years. Jessica is originally from Cleveland County and has been in the Lake Norman area – like Kelly – for more than two decades.
All three of the owners live in a condo community in Davidson. “We met at our community pool approximately nine years ago,” states Jessica. “We quickly discovered that we all have a passion for all things creative and that is where our story begins.”
As their dream took life, the trio decided they needed a name for their business. They named it after the place they met – where their dream began – their condo community in Davidson – Waterfront Villas – WFV Designs.
The trio started slowly – making small wooden boxes and trays, painting and other creative items on the back porches of their condos. Their projects grew and they needed more room; consequently, they leased a small storage unit in downtown Mooresville and then rented a booth in Mt. Airy.
“Tim has been in the furniture industry for over 30 years,” explains Jessica. “He wanted to have a workshop where people could come to him. We decided to relocate to a booth in Merino’s Mill.” Jessica smiles, “We still have a booth there – look for us at L2.” However, the trio quickly outgrew that small space.
Moving twice in three years, they finally landed at their current location (on Broad Street – behind The Mooresville Ice Cream Shop) and reopened for business in November 2020. This is a fabulous location where customers can check out their talent and get to know the owners – see their creations – and, as Jessica says, “immerse themselves in who we are and what we do.”
“I have been around woodworking all of my life,” says Tim Lail. “When I met Kelly, I was a drummer in a band and played locally.” His day job was working with various companies repairing furniture in people’s homes. “When I decided to retire my drumsticks,” Tim adds, “I really got into building more custom pieces. I love when people come to me and we get to creatively work on a vision together.” He smiles, “To see the end result — as well as the joy on the customers’ faces — is what makes it all worthwhile.”
Tim can make – as he says – “pretty much anything with wood.” However, as of late, the most popular item is his custom dining tables. “Our customers set an appointment with me and I let them see how the process works. They get to pick out the type of wood, legs and finish they want.”
The interview would not be complete without Tim mentioning his “third love – behind Kelly and WFV Designs – which is my 1954 Chevrolet Rat Rod.” (see picture below) “His name is Conrad,” smiles Tim. “You can find him most days on the weekend outside of our store.”
“We – all three of us – love Mooresville and we feel the people and the serenity of Downtown is the right niche for our designs,“ Jessica says. “We are a store unlike any other in Mooresville. We bring our own creativity and vision in our own customer creations, unique gifts and décor items.” These can’t be found anywhere else. The owners strive to keep their store cozy and inviting. “We want our customers to feel like they are at home and they could put any of our items in their home.”
Keep your eyes and ears open for events at WFV Designs especially around the Holidays: Jessica will often cater the food herself. All are invited!
Phone number
(980) 293-4333
@wfvdesigns on Facebook and Instagram
Article and Pictures by Tesa Jones
Tesa Jones is a graduate of Elon College, now Elon University, a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and she currently resides in Mooresville with her husband. She is a published author, an avid blogger, and a passionate photographer. Learn more about Tesa Jones at www.booksbytesajones.com/book and contact her via:
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