Rudy and Maggie Barrenche with their daughters Megan and Samantha, son Rudy Jr, and Son-in-Law Eric in front of their store Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Decor. (Submitted photo/Mega Nicole Narehood)

Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Décor is a business created from the passion of antiquing, the importance of family, and a love for LaBelle.

High school sweet hearts Maggie and Rudy Barreneche, owners of Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Décor, are passionate about antiquing and have been antiquing part-time together for 40 years since the day they met and began antiquing full time about ten years.

Me and my Girls Antiques and Home Decor is named after the Barreneche family. Rudy, his wife Maggie and their two daughters, Samantha and Megan. They also have a son Rudy Jr. and a son-in-law, Eric. Although the store is named after Rudy and his girls, each member of the family adds their own personal touches to the store.

“We all concentrate on something different,” said Maggie.

Maggie does the antiques, Rudy does vintage car parts, Megan does the jewelry and accessories, Samantha does the book store, Rudy Jr does photography and the business side, and Eric is involved in the business side.

Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Décor is more than just an antique store.

“The reason we specify the home décor is because it is not only antiques,” said Maggie, “We have mid century furniture, collectibles, art, and jewelry. We have a little bit of everything.”

The family understands snowbirds are important, but wanted to do a lot for the locals too.

“We wanted to give locals a chance to entrepreneur,” said Maggie.

Maggie originally from Spain and Rudy originally from Cuba, moved from Miami to Naples 20 years ago. They used to drive through LaBelle to Orlando when their daughter worked at Disney World and fell in love with LaBelle. The couple would go antiquing, go to the Harold P. Curstis Honey Co., and eat at Forrey Grill.

“When this building became available it was heaven sent for us,” said Maggie, “We love LaBelle, we love the small town, and we love the people.”

LaBelle reminds the Barreneche’s of Naples when they first moved there.

“We fell in love with Naples 20 years ago and now it is not a small town anymore,” said Maggie.

God, family, and country are important to the Barreneche family.

“That’s why we opened a business with our family,” said Maggie.

Maggie said she has been blessed with their business and she thinks it is because of their integrity.

“If you have integrity and you treat people right it just comes back to you,” said Maggie.

The biggest challenge in opening the business for the Barreneche family has been the repairs needed to do on the building due to Hurricane Irma.

“Irma pushed our opening back by a good month or two,” said Rudy, “Our own home also got damaged, so we had to take care of our house and our business.”

The best experience the Barreneche’s have had has been the welcoming from the town and meeting their vendors.

“We feel like our family and the vendors are one big family,” said Maggie.

The best business advice Rudy and Maggie have is to go through the right channels and not to cut corners.

“Go through the city and county the right way to get your business license,” said Maggie.

The Barreneche’s said if you are interested in opening a business in downtown LaBelle the Labelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC) is the best resource.

“Kelly and the girls are incredible,” said Maggie, “They’re great and supportive. They gave us the most exposure.”

Rudy and Maggie, who bought the building Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Décor is in and the lot next door, plan to stay and make improvements to the building and adjoining lot.

“We are excited to be part of making the LaBelle downtown district popular and attractive,” said Maggie.

Me and My Girls is located at 330 N. Bridge St. LaBelle, FL 33935. Their phone number is (863) 230-6135. Their hours are Monday and Tuesday 10:30-5:30, closed Wednesday, Thursday- Saturday 10:30 AM-5:30 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/meandmygirls/.

Submitted photo/Mega Nicole Narehood

Rudy and Maggie Barrenche with their daughters Megan and Samantha, son Rudy Jr, and Son-in-Law Eric in front of their store Me and My Girls Antiques and Home Decor.