By David Ball

The News staff writer

NEDERLAND — When Barbara “Babs” Boone, of Nederland, completed a company personality evaluation at she and her husband’s business 12 years ago, the evaluator asked if there were any unfulfilled dreams in her life.

She said she wanted to open a gift shop some day, but she didn’t know when. Ed, her husband, didn’t have any idea that was what she wanted to do. Yet, four months later that dream became a reality when she opened Bab’s Gift Express and Belly Button - A Kid’s World on Nederland Ave.

Now after “12 short years” she’s retiring from the business she began from scratch and turning it over to able hands — Kelli Simmons and Dawn Ratcliff.

“My husband already has a honey-do list for me,” she joked. “I never knew how much fun it would be owning my own store. And I have a grandgirl, Savanna (age 5), to put clothes on and she’s my model.”

Boone said she’ll do some reading, gardening and a little traveling in retirement.

Prior to opening her gift shop, she helped run Security Pest Management with her husband for over 30 years. She also worked as a reporter in Leesville, La.

To be successful in business, Boone said one needs a business side of the brain along with a customer service side. She added it helps if your husband is an accountant, too.

“We know customers have a choice and we appreciate them shopping with us and knowing they will be treated with the utmost care. Our customers are very special,” Boone said.

Simmons and Ratcliff were customers of Boone’s stores and heard the business was for sale. They jumped at the chance to buy it and now they’re the new owners.

“It’s something to do and we can be creative,” Simmons said. Ratcliff said buying the business was “like it fell out of the sky.”

The two have been friends since high school; even “bosom buddies.”

Simmons said she has worked retail in the past and she loves it.

Boone said she will be available for both women during her retirement.