Lightning Bug Gift Co. small-batch gifts celebrate unique local places, products
When Becki Hollen and Chris Bencivenga relocated to Hollidaysburg from Pittsburgh, they missed indie gift shops so they created one: Lightning Bug Gift Co.
Shop the Lightning Bug Gift Co. store on the Alleghenies Marketplace
Lightning Bug Gift Co. started three years ago when artists and printmakers Becki Hollen and Chris Bencivenga relocated to Hollidaysburg from Pittsburgh. “At first it was hard to connect with the community,” Hollen said. “We missed the indie gift shops like we had in Pittsburgh. We had all of our printmaking equipment, and all these relationships with other artists and makers. We said, ‘Let’s give it a shot and see if people here want this.’”
Hollen said that as they discussed how to turn their dream into a reality, Startup Alleghenies coach Matt Fox was there. “He helped us a ton from the very beginning,” she said. “He was there to help answer any questions.”
“It was great working with Becki and Chris on their idea — I could see that Lightning Bug Gift Co. would be a great addition to Blair County,” Fox said. “The shop has been a great way to connect makers with shoppers in our area, and I love the way that it celebrates our rich local culture.”
Read more about Lightning Bug Gift Co. here.
The shop features small batches goods that celebrate the “in-between places” of Central Pennsylvania.
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
