Picnic baskets, candles, and espresso makers are just some of the exciting items you can find at Downtown Washington’s new shopping experience – Lane Blu.

Lane Blu, located at 129 East Main Street carries beautiful items for your home and kitchen. Owner Vickie Wicklow has always had a passion for cooking and culinary experiences. "I love to cook and have always dreamed of opening a restaurant some day. When COVID hit last year, we decided to push ahead with the retail side [of the business.]".

Wicklow opened Lane Blu last July, and carries fun and specialty items for cooking and home decor. "We have everything for the home that you can think of. A lot of things that are my inspiration are things from all over the world."

A U.S. Army veteran, Wicklow has traveled the world with the military and wanted to bring some of [those adventures] to Washington. Not just the food aspect, but luxurious items for the home. Lane Blu (Vickie’s nickname from childhood) carries cookware, candles, kitchenware; Wicklow says they even have their own line of bed linens. "We make a lot of our own products – wood products and furniture from repurposed wood and materials."

She also carries many styles of picnic baskets. "I’m a big proponent of getting out and socializing, and so I think picnics are a great way to get people together and spend time together."

An avid cook from a very young age, Wicklow also gives cooking lessons in private homes for up to eight people. From basic cooking skills to recreating international dishes that one might remember fondly from their travels, she lets clients choose what their lesson entails. "Classes could be handmade Italian pasta, authentic Mexican tacos, or anything, really."

Originally from Pennsylvania, she is excited to bring her world travels and culinary expertise to Washington. She and her husband are now remodeling in part of the shop and plan to have the restaurant up and running in the spring. "We are going to build onto the back of the shop and create some outdoor dining. We will serve tapas, all-day breakfast, and eventually late-night dining on the weekends. We plan to keep things simple and local."

Lane Blu is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, and Sunday 2-4pm.