Smithville is a little more festive after Faire la Nouba—a celebration store, bottle shop, and niche grocer—opened in early February along Main Street.
The details
The woman-owned, Black-owned and veteran-owned business is located in a fully restored building that dates back to 1895, and operates with the mission to “create joy and make every moment special.”
“Our store is your one-stop shop for all things ‘celebration,’” owners Rachael and Brian Tolbert said in a statement. “In French slang, Faire la Nouba translates to ‘live it up.’ The literal translation is ‘to do life.’”
Zooming out
Rachael Tolbert, who comes from a long line of Nebraska farmers, recounted how she first spotted the building Faire la Nouba in January 2024 while strolling Main Street with her mother.
“At the end of the block, I noticed a for-sale sign through the dusty window,” she said. “Weeks later, I called the realtor only to be told that the building was no longer for sale.”
Although it hadn’t sold, a realtor told Rachael Tolbert the property was pulled off the market.
“Fast forward a year,” she said. “I had watched the building, my building, sit empty and alone, steadfastly housing rodents and my dreams. I decided to reach back out to the realtor, this time with a much more developed plan. I was going to get a building and start a business.”
What they offer
Just over two years after peering through that dusty window, Rachael Tolbert’s business now offers a variety of products for sale in-store and online, including:
- Wine
- Beer
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Party supplies
- Kitchenware
- Barware
- Gifts
- Greeting cards
- Home and holiday decor
What else?
Faire la Nouba is open from noon to 8 p.m on Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
