Spring is here and Paducah is buzzing, especially in the heart of downtown where some very exciting changes have happened over winter. Erileigh Phelan, owner of Raven & Moth, has spread her wings and reopened her newly expanded boutique just a stone’s throw from Market House Square.
Passersby can rarely resist peeking into Raven & Moth. It’s a mix of mystery and seasonal whimsy that draws you in—think eye-catching window displays featuring handmade hot air balloons and giant mushrooms. Sprinkled throughout the store you’ll find delightfully unexpected treasures like moss-covered birdhouses, richly colored beeswax tapers, perfume, copper sculptures, beautiful toys, as well as an array of clothing. There really is something for everyone; you never know what you will find.
“Over the years, we’ve had different taglines, but we have recently settled on ‘An eclectic shop for thoughtful people’ because it really speaks to what we’re about,” shares Erileigh. “We’re not just a clothing boutique, a jewelry store, or a gift shop. We focus on offering sustainable, handmade, and fair-trade items mostly from small businesses. Our customers tend to be looking for thoughtful and unique gifts—items with meaning rather than generic products. This tagline feels like the perfect way to sum up what we do.”
Originally born out of a desire to combine her many passions into a business as she was moving back to Paducah from Nashville, Erileigh first set up shop in 2017. She and her mother, Mel, had co-owned a jewelry business together called Dweedlebeadles which became the store’s first product line, and Erileigh was also operating a small hair salon out of the space she rented in the historic Smedley Yeiser in Lowertown. It wasn’t long before they were looking to expand and moved downtown to 3rd and Broadway in 2020. After several years of great success it became clear that it was time again for the business to bloom and grow.
When the time came for the most recent move, mother nature had other plans. But everything came together in the end thanks to Erileigh’s devoted friends and family. “It was wild,” she recounts with a laugh. “We’d been planning our move into the new store for over a month, coordinating with friends and renting a truck. Then, just before our move date, the forecast called for an ice storm. With icy sidewalks and roads, it would be really tricky to move. Luckily, the day before the storm, my cousin messaged me offering a trailer and suggesting we move everything that night. It was a long shot, but we decided to try. I contacted all our friends, and despite the fact that it was freezing, every single one of them showed up. We had a caravan of SUVs and vans, and with a flatbed trailer we made multiple trips between the shops until everything was moved. We were so grateful, and we took the group to Mellow Mushroom afterwards. Just as we were heading back to our cars, the snow started. Mel and I slowly unpacked over the next few days while we were snowed in, and friends and family popped by to help. With no customers coming in we didn’t feel pressured to rush, and the whole thing couldn’t have turned out better.”
A stroke of luck and a friendly connection with the landlady led Erileigh and Mel to rent the bright, airy space they now occupy, and the shop has doubled in size. The unique character of the building with its exposed brick wall and antique lighting is the perfect backdrop for their collection. Now the creative mother-daughter duo are bursting with inspiration when it comes to all the ways they can enjoy and share their new space. “It’s still a work in progress, and we’re so excited about how much more room we have to decorate and bring our vision to life. I want the walls filled with the art we sell and flowers to make it feel cozy and lived-in, like a space people want to hang out in.”
The ladies of Raven & Moth have a knack for hosting dreamy events, and the added space lends itself perfectly to their plans for bringing the community together and participating in downtown festivals. Now, it will be easier to welcome people for pop-up shops featuring artists and authors, stunning collaborations with Paducah florists, and live music events like a recurring open mic night. Raven & Moth is proud to be the exclusive home in the region for the sumptuous Market of Stars clothing line. The expansion of the shop has enabled them to feature several new product lines and they are particularly excited about the addition of jewelry and pottery by beloved Paducah artists Shand Stamper and Mitch Kimball.
With its expanded space and fresh energy, Raven & Moth is set to be even more of a lively locale in downtown Paducah. Erileigh and Mel’s passion for offering a unique shopping experience is evident in every corner of their revamped shop, and their plans for community events will undoubtedly make it a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. As the shop grows, it continues to honor its roots of thoughtfulness, creativity, and connection, making it a true reflection of the eclectic spirit of Paducah.
