Catholic business

Locating those special Catholic gifts for family, dear friends, a loved one or simply for personal spiritual inspiration can leave one stumped.
 
Shoppers find selections limited at general merchandise stores and even religious stores. Many people don't know where to begin searching for that niche online. That's where Bismarck resident, Aleisha Hellman, stepped in with her business Beloved Pearl Catholic Boutique more than four years ago. 
 
It was seeded first as a “pop-up shop” in June 2021 at parishes, youth rallies, retreats and occasionally set up in private homes. She and husband, Russ, offered that type of shopping experience for about six months and then Aleisha found their first store location at 1424 W. Century Avenue Suite #204 in Bismarck. She opened the Catholic boutique there in June of 2022.

“I just saw a need in our community... We didn't have a place you could come in and look around and touch and feel and be drawn to something. I am like that. If I am drawn to something, it gives you that feeling that it will draw you closer to Christ and a relationship with Him,” said Hellman. “I wanted that for other people because it is hard to shop online when you don't know what it looks like or feels like.”
 
An array of candles with different purposes can be found among the shop's unique collections. One of her most popular sellers is a Chrism candle. "They smell like baptism. You smell them and you can’t help but think, ‘I remember that baby. It smells just like Chrism oil,’” said Hellman. “Sometimes it’s something as simple as a candle that takes you back to a place where you felt close to God.”

The shopper can also find coffee featuring a particular saint, Church leader or biblical figure, lotions and creams, stuffed Nativity scene figurines, a large wedding rosary, cloth booklets, Catholic-themed socks, plaques with the “Irish Kitchen Prayer,” complete with measuring spoons, and jewelry that allows the wearer to bring their beliefs along with them, just to name a few.

Hellman gives special attention to handcrafted items—making sure the customers know it was made locally and by whom.
 
“I try to put something out that says ‘locally made’ or ‘handmade,’ so the shopper knows," Hellman said. “If somebody buys something, I try to let people know this is local or have my employees tell them. I try to tell them who it was made by.”
 
Second location

Since opening, the business has evolved to include a second store location in downtown Bismarck

“In August of 2023, we took over the management of Mayo Pharmacy’s Catholic goods section. Now, we have two locations. Mayo Pharmacy is on North 4th Street in Bismarck," said Hellman. “The person running it there wanted to retire, but they wanted the Catholic presence in the Catholic pharmacy. We sell different things at each location.”
 
The pharmacy, she reasoned, is open all day and has a constant flow of people. “More books and gift things sell better there. It’s been fun trying to figure out what to take there and what to keep here,” as she referred to the uniqueness of each location.

Hellman uses a variety of resources to find her special items to sell in her stores.

“I have a few people who make rosaries for me who live here in town. I have ladies who make me rosary pouches. I have some crucifixes that were hand-made,” she said about connecting local creators with her customers. “They usually approach me or people give me their names, and I reach out to them.”

She also orders online from wholesalers to stock a wide variety in the stores. “I order a lot online directly from the companies. I have a marketplace wholesale site that I use. It’s kind of fun when I find something online that I like or that people have been talking about. I will seek that out,” Hellman said.

Choosing store items involves research, tips from makers and sellers and prayerful insight. 
 
“What usually happens is that I will be thinking about something that we should bring in, not knowing if I should and then God kind of reaffirms it by sending someone to ask for it. That happens a lot.”

Catholic market

Two summers ago, she also started hosting a “Catholic Market” near the Century Avenue location to allow other Catholic merchants another opportunity to show and sell their products independently. The event takes on a lighter, festive atmosphere for the Catholic shopper.
 
The merchants often reunite unexpectedly with other parishioners, family and friends also seeking the perfect Catholic items or just curious about their options. The first event drew 10 vendors but has grown. 
 
The market is held the second or third week of June and is free to vendors selling Catholic items. Hellman announces the event via Facebook that Catholic vendors are invited to participate and take the opportunity to promote their business and product. 
 
“We just want to create a space where our community knows about other Catholic makers,” Hellman explained. “Some people make jewelry, rosaries. Somebody bakes bread, scones and cookies. This year, we had the people of Encounter Ministries set up a booth,” she shared. “Two families came together, and they were raising money for the new sisters’ monastery. All their proceeds for what their children made were going to that, which was kind of cool,” said Hellman.
 
Fulfilling a purpose
 
Hellman said it's a place for people to find Catholic specific gifts and goods that helps you draw closer to Christ. Despite Beloved Pearl Boutique's growth, Hellman's aim remains to “just to give our community a place to shop for Catholic goods and gifts, where you can actually come in and see things.”

She emphasized the Beloved Pearl's purpose is to allow buyers to encounter unique Catholic gifts in real time. “I've had numerous people say, ‘so that's what that looks like.’ They've seen it online, but they're hesitant to buy it online because they're not quite sure what it is going to look like. So, they can see it here. I just want people to be able to give that meaningful gift or something for themselves that helps deepen their relationship with Jesus.”

The satisfaction and gratitude from her customers keep her going. "I get a lot of ‘thank yous’ for being in our community. I try to go above and beyond what people expect. I'm more than willing to research if you want a certain book or a certain item. I don't mind searching for something for somebody. I have a wider variety of places to look than they think.”
 
She added, “It doesn't feel like work to me. It's how I know it’s with God because it's something that puts me at peace. When I’m searching for products or when I am here, putting stuff away, it's just a good feeling. It fills me up.”
 
Locations and hours
 
The Mayo Pharmacy site is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hours for the north location off Century Avenue are Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays noon to 6 p.m.; Fridays noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

She can work outside those hours in special circumstances if requested, people from out of town here for a short stay for instance. In rare instances, the business will still do a pop-up store or out-of-town retreats.
 
The business’s website is BelovedPearl.net and showcases a wide variety of products. Locations, hours and contact information are also there.