I first met Jennifer Biggs during a farmers market at Williamson Nursery, where she and her family had a booth filled with their handmade creations. Jennifer is the artist behind Yarn Chasers, creating crocheted characters, plushies, and other fiber art. I remember being impressed by her work and the creativity that seemed to run through her entire family. Her husband and children were all involved in the booth, each bringing their own talents to the table.
As a fellow artist, I could appreciate the time and imagination that went into what they were creating. So when I heard Jennifer was opening a shop of her own in downtown Summit, I was excited to see what she had planned.
That shop is now a reality.
The Curiosity Shoppe, located at 803 Robb Street, recently opened its doors, bringing a colorful collection of handmade goods, regional artwork, unique gifts, oddities, and creative workshops to the heart of Summit.
For Jennifer, opening the shop is more than just starting a business. It’s a full-circle moment rooted in family, creativity, and a lifelong love of making things.
Born and raised in Pike County, Jennifer grew up working in her mother’s flower shop in Magnolia, which operated for nearly 30 years. Those early experiences introduced her to the importance of small businesses and the relationships they build within a community.
“I learned early on how a local shop can become the heartbeat of a neighborhood,” Jennifer shared.
A Summit resident since 2006, Jennifer is a fiber artist, educator, and the creator behind Yarn Chasers, where she designs original amigurumi, plushies, and other fiber art. She also operates Inquisitive Minds, an educational service focused on hands-on creative learning for local students.
For years, Jennifer and her family traveled to regional markets alongside other artists and makers, setting up booths and sharing their creations. While she enjoyed the experience, she began imagining a permanent place where local artisans could showcase their work throughout the year.
Opening The Curiosity Shoppe gave her the opportunity to bring that idea home.
Inside, visitors will find a bright, colorful, and eclectic collection of handmade treasures. The shop features original Yarn Chasers creations, natural products, hand-sewn goods, regional artwork, and unusual finds. It also carries a complete collection of signed books by local science fiction and fantasy author W. B. Biggs, Jennifer’s husband.
In addition to its retail offerings, the shop provides custom alterations and monogramming services.
But Jennifer hopes the business will become much more than a place to shop.
“We wanted a true discovery space—somewhere you can find unique handmade goods, regional art, oddities, and custom work, all while offering a dedicated hub where people can gather, learn, and take hands-on workshops,” she explained.
Those workshops will cover a variety of creative interests, including crochet, sewing, quilting, and writing. Future plans include creative writing classes led by W. B. Biggs, seasonal craft workshops, and opportunities for local artisans to share their skills with the community.
For Jennifer, choosing Summit as the location was an easy decision. It’s where she and her family have built their lives, and she hopes the shop will contribute to the continued growth of the downtown area.
“We wanted to invest right back into our hometown and contribute to the growing, vibrant energy of downtown Summit,” she said.
She hopes The Curiosity Shoppe will become a place where people can slow down, discover something new, and connect with the creative talent that exists right here in our communities.
As the business grows, Jennifer plans to continually introduce new merchandise, welcome additional regional artists, and expand the shop’s calendar of workshops and community events. With an ever-changing inventory, visitors can expect to find something different each time they stop by.
And for anyone wondering about the name, Jennifer says it fits her personality perfectly.
“I’ve never lived in a box in my life,” she joked, describing herself as creative, unique, and perhaps a little curious.
It’s a fitting description for a shop that celebrates the unusual, the imaginative, and the handmade.
I love seeing small businesses like this open in our communities, especially when they’re built around creativity and supporting other local artists. What Jennifer and her family have created is more than another storefront. It’s a place where someone’s handmade work can find a new home, where a person can learn something they’ve always wanted to try, and where the creativity of our area has another opportunity to shine.
And perhaps the motto displayed on the shop’s door says it best: “Finding Magic Daily!”
The Curiosity Shoppe is located at 803 Robb Street in Summit, Mississippi, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday. Visitors can follow The Curiosity Shoppe on Facebook for updates on merchandise, workshops, and upcoming events.
*All photos are courtesy of The Curiosity Shoppe
