Thumb through a copy of the My Office brochure and it quickly becomes apparent that owner Karen Hohnstein is a great neighbor. A list of several businesses sits prominently on one of the first few pages, along with some sweet words encouraging customers to visit the other locally owned shops. Hohnstein is a big supporter of living and shopping in the Lake Highlands community.
She tries to encourage local spending in her own store by making it easier for her customers. Her business is up against those big-name chain stores, and she knows it. That’s why My Office offers a wide assortment of services and products. From mail box rentals and shipping services to an array of quality office supplies and RISD required readings books, My Office aims to be a one-stop shop for Lake Highland’s residents. It even serves as a drop-off location for Pearl Dry Cleaning.
“Living and working in Lake Highlands, we’ve got the personal details to know what the community needs. We have it all right here so they just have one place to go,” Hohnstein said.
Customers also get that old-timey, know-your-neighbor feeling that has disappeared with the influx of those mega-sized office supply stores. Hohnstein will take the time to learn your name and she’ll remember it the next time you come in.
“It’s the personal connections that you have, everyone knows each other, I want My Office to feel like a meeting place for the neighborhood,” she said.
It’s no surprise that Hohnstein loves Lake Highlands. She’s a home-grown, Lake Highlands girl herself. She grew up in the area, attended local schools, and is now raising her own children in the same community. She loves Lake Highlands, and that’s why she wants her fellow business owners to do well.
“I’m all about the community, not just a business, but about building up the Lake Highlands area,” Hohnstein said.
She’s true to her words too. Hohnstein also stocks books authored by various writers from the Lake Highlands area. She’s hosting an author event at the store this evening, to help raise money for a good cause.
Lake Highlands author Carol Brickwell will be at My Office at 5:30pm today, Wednesday August 17th, autographing copies of her book, “Cinco, the Clinic Cat.” The books are available for purchase at the store, and all the proceeds will go to a mission in Honduras, which is featured in the colorful children’s book. Kids can also take part in fun arts and crafts activities during the event. Along with the book proceeds, Hohnstein is also donating 10 percent of Wednesday's sales to the mission.
This evening’s event is one of many to come for My Office, according to Hohnestein. And while she humbly says her business may still be “young and growing,” there’s no doubt that this friendly neighbor will continue to help the Lake Highlands community to grow and flourish as well.