A Small Stone With a Big Heart
At St. Honoré Boulangerie, we believe that the magic of our cafes comes not just from fresh pastries and warm bread, but from the people who step through our doors.
Every so often, we’re reminded just how deeply those connections run, and recently, a small hand-painted stone reminded our Thurman team of the beauty in simple, unexpected kindness.
A Tradition of Quiet Joy
One of our regular Thurman customers, Shirley Anni Njos, is known for her incredible talent: she paints intricate, joyful artworks on stones. But what makes Shirley’s art truly special is how she shares it.
Whenever Shirley finds a business she loves, she leaves one of her hand-painted stones somewhere discreet, tucked on a shelf, nestled near a display, resting softly on a counter, without a word.
She lets the staff discover it on their own, creating a moment of surprise, delight, and gratitude. It’s her way of saying thank you for the connection, the warmth, and the everyday happiness a place brings her.
The Discovery at Thurman
That moment came recently for our Thurman team.
During a normal shift, coffee pouring, croissants flaking, laughter in the background, one of our staff members stopped in their tracks. There it was: a beautifully painted stone placed thoughtfully inside the store, waiting to be discovered.
The team gathered around, admiring the artwork and the mystery behind it. Larkin held the stone proudly, joined by Kaylee, Justin, Raphael, and Abby, all of them touched by this unexpected gift.
But this time, the mystery didn’t stay a mystery for long.
Meeting the Artist
Our team was able to identify Shirley and connect with her directly. With her permission, we were thrilled to share this story, and her art, with our community. She graciously allowed us to tag her and celebrate her uniquely heartfelt way of spreading joy.
Shirley, who creates Stone Art and Custom Portraits on Rock, has a gift not only for artistic detail but for building connections through simple gestures. Her artwork is as warm as her heart, and seeing it in our Thurman store felt like receiving a handwritten letter from a friend.
For those who want to explore more of Shirley’s creations, from hand-painted stones to custom portrait art, you can visit her Etsy shop here. It’s a wonderful way to support her craft and see the full breadth of her joyful, heartfelt pieces.
A Reminder of Why We Do What We Do
In a world that moves fast, Shirley’s stone reminded all of us to pause and appreciate the small things:
A smile across the counter.
A favorite pastry waiting to be picked up.
A piece of art left quietly, simply to brighten someone’s day.
To Shirley: thank you. Your thoughtfulness means more than you know, and your stone now has a special place in our hearts (and in our store!).
And to our incredible Thurman team: thank you for the warmth and care you bring to every guest, every day. This moment belongs to you just as much as it belongs to Shirley.
Bon appétit!
The St. Honoré Team
