That’s no exaggeration. You’ll realize it’s the truth the second you step into this palace of what owner Mary Van Ostrand has labeled Fabulous Finds, Uncommon Goods, and Antiques.

Barely off the Wimberley Square, the shop is housed in a building that used to be the city’s post office on Oak Street. Open the door and prepare to be overwhelmed. It seems like every square inch of space has something on display, teasing your eyes this way then that. Even the display décor is interesting—an old fence here, an old hutch there.

Queen Bee was originally called Country Folks, but that changed a couple of years ago.

“At first we did crafts and antiques, but we kept evolving as people’s tastes changed,” Mary explains. “Antiques are no longer as popular as they once were. Our old name sort of conjured up images of grandma’s nursing home crafts.”

Originally from Oklahoma, Mary and her husband Phil moved to the Wimberley area in 1990 and she learned to do some crafts, mostly jewelry. At first she sold her wares in the Dancing Bear co-op in Gruene, then leased space in Wimberley. Impressed by its size, Mary and Phil bought the Wimberley building in 2003. The third of an acre is now home to Queen Bee, The Art Gallery behind the shop, and the Patio on the Square, a concession stand adjacent to the shop.

When you open the Queen Bee door what do you see? Everything. You know immediately that the shop is larger than most in Wimberley. You know it is filled almost to overflowing with items that you will have to take a breath and investigate. You know every theme has its own niche, which is going to make your investigation much easier and more entertaining.

Take the kitchen area, secluded from the rest of the shop so you won’t get confused. Here you’ll find hot cocoa and stationery, placemats and aprons, packaged food items like chili mixes, salsa, and beer bread mixes from Fredericksburg Farms along with samples to whet your appetite.

In another area are a variety of home décor items—from lamps to signs to vases to picture frames—from casual to elegant.

Over there is a nook full of quilts and decorative, colorful pillows.

Over here is an area with all sorts of fragrant candles.

Looking for special soaps and creams, lotions, potpourri, note cards, bridal gifts, wraps and scarves, books, insulated mugs, sleep shirts, decorative magnets, dog leashes and food bowls? They’re here. And there.

On shelves nearly everywhere you will find jewelry. Lots of jewelry.

In one area that you might mistake for an alcove at your grandmother’s house, you’ll find plates and glasses and pitchers and containers and trays.

And don’t miss the room full of children’s clothing and toys. It has Mini-Blankies, finger puppets, plush animals, and kid-friendly night lights.

Go all the way back and you’ll even discover a guy niche with cowboy signs, T-shirts honoring Texas and John Wayne and Willie Nelson, caps, cups, key fobs, bottle openers, books, horseshoe picture frames.

Queen Bee is even helping with the recent Wimberley Flood by offering special T-shirts with the Ranch Road 12 logo and the slogan, “We’ll Get By With Help From Our Friends.” Six dollars of every shirt sale goes to the Crisis Bread Basket in town.

You see? Queen Bee does have something for everyone.

“I go to Dallas Market and try to buy as much Texas-made and U.S.-made items as I can,” Mary explains.

The Dallas Market she speaks of is a huge wholesale trade center showcasing the newest and best in fashions, furniture, home accents, lighting, toys, jewelry and accessories, gifts, and more.

“I started small enough to learn the business and learn how to spot trends,” Mary says. “When I go to Market, I watch the younger buyers and notice what catches their eyes. They’re where the action is.”

It’s obvious that Mary has a passion for this.

“It’s a challenge,” Mary says. “It’s a challenge to see if I can sell this or that and be successful. It’s a challenge to find things people like enough to want to buy. I do have a passion for this.”

For More Information: Queen Bee is located at 100 Oak Drive in Wimberley, 512-847-2113, www.queenbeewimberley.com.