Palmera House, an all-day cafe, is the newest member to join Bedford Avenue.
The new business combines plants, home goods and a welcoming café, and is set to open its doors on Jan. 1 at 2307 Bedford Ave..
Owner Erica Kerns-Calfee said it won't just be a shop with gifts, it will be an all-day café and gathering space.
"I wanted to design a space where people could truly disconnect from the rush of daily life and reconnect with themselves and nature," she said.
The idea for Palmera House has been years in the making, shaped by Kerns-Calfee's career and personal passions. After two decades in corporate America with brands such as J.Crew and Madewell, she shifted gears, trading the world of high fashion for a more hands-on venture.
"Working in fashion was fun, but plants became a real passion for me when I was living in San Antonio. I started keeping them alive for the first time and fell in love with the process," she said.
Her love for plants began as a personal journey, but soon grew into a vision for a community space that could blend nature, design and hospitality. When she returned to Lynchburg in 2021, after her time with Moore & Giles, Kerns-Calfee realized there was an opportunity to bring her ideas to life in a way that would resonate with others.
"I always knew I wanted to create something unique, something that Lynchburg didn't have yet," she said. "I was done working for someone else. All this effort and time and blood, sweat and tears that I put into all of these things, it's for someone else's company."
The cafe will offer an all-day menu with options such as smoothies, bowls, salads, burrata and charcuterie.
"It's a place where you can grab something quick to go or linger with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee," she said. "The café element allows us to create an even more welcoming and dynamic space."
The building itself has undergone a transformation and was in disrepair when Kerns-Calfee first saw it.
"When I walked in, the roof was caving in and the building was in terrible shape," she said but could immediately envision what she has created today.
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"I stood in this corner and I was like, 'OK, so here the bodega is gonna be here and there's gonna be a wine shelf here and there's gonna be this living wall,' like the vision was there for the space, I just could see how you can sort of separate it and make it this multi-functional spot," she said.
Over the past two years, the Palmera House team has worked to bring that vision to life. The result is a thoughtfully designed space that feels both modern and timeless. The interior features a mix of greenery, natural textures and curated home goods, creating an atmosphere that's equal parts boutique shop and cozy café.
"People that know me walk in here and they're like, 'Oh, so this is your house,' because my house is an explosion of plants, shells and just really interesting found objects and different things that are just sort of collected in an interesting way," she said.
In addition to its café offerings, Palmera House will feature a rotating selection of curated home goods, vintage rugs and plants.
"The home goods and rugs will rotate, offering unique items like coffee table books, pots and giftable items," Kerns-Calfee said. "I want the space to feel like a blend of a hotel lobby and a cozy shop."
Plant lovers will also find an impressive selection of greenery, from easy-to-care-for houseplants to unique statement pieces.
"Plants bring life and warmth to any space," Kerns-Calfee said. "Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, we'll have something for you."
Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the thoughtfully curated selection available at Palmera House. Kerns-Calfee has partnered with Flying Fox, a Virginia winery to offer exclusive bottles that have never been sold outside their tasting room.
Palmera House will also offer a private dining room, created for intimate meals, that seats up to 14, and can be used any time of day.
Despite setbacks during the renovation process, including HVAC delays and the challenge of keeping plants alive in temporary downtown spaces, Kerns-Calfee describes the process as a labor of love.
"I've been up on ladders watering plants and making sure everything is ready. I'm excited to share this space with the community," she said.
Palmera House will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and come spring, Kerns-Calfee plans to have an outdoor patio open.
"You feel like you're walking into a vacation spot, so even though it's freezing, come on in for a little short vacation," she said.
Rachael Smith,
(434) 385-5482
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