Local women named her store from initials of her family members

Published in the Nov. 12-25, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Staff Report

Photo by Marty Cheek Owner Nancy Bettencourt in her Morgan Hill boutique.

Photo by Marty Cheek
Owner Nancy Bettencourt in her Morgan Hill boutique.

Before opening her PBNJ Boutique store in Morgan Hill in 2011, Nancy Bettencourt worked as a title and escrow sales rep with Financial Title. She survived nine years of what she calls a “crazy busy, high energy, sometimes stressful industry,” made easier with the friendship of great people and great rewards.

Bettencourt was born and raised in Saratoga. She met her husband Paul in 1990 and they married in 1995 and bought their first home and settled down in the Willow Glen area. Their son Jason was born in 2000, and two years later the family came to Morgan Hill to visit the Pumpkin Patch one October. The couple fell in love with Morgan Hill and moved to the community in March 2003.

PBNJ was named for the initials Paul Bettencourt, Nancy, Jason. It carries brands such as Hudson, NYDJ, Paige, Joe’s, Free People, Sky, Lori Jack, PJ Salvage, O.C. and Rosy Rings. Morgan Hill Life asked Bettencourt about her popular boutique store.

How did you find your way to becoming the owner of a boutique store?

I think I was destined to have my own business. I quit the title and escrow business in 2009 after my dad became ill and passed away. Two years later I met Robin, who owns Extend Your Image Salon. I was thinking about opening a boutique in the Campbell area and asked Robin if we could have dinner. I wanted to pick her brain because she currently had a boutique inside of her salon. We had dinner and a couple of weeks later she called me and the amazing Maureen Carroll, who owns Desire 2B, and makes some of the most beautiful jewelry, which we currently carry, was inside Robin’s salon had decided to leave. I opened PBNJ Boutique in Oct. 2011. I decided to move earlier this year and I’m now in my own location at 16195 Monterey Road. It’s awesome!

Describe what clothes and other articles that you sell and what makes them unique.

What makes us unique is our clientele. We listen to what our customers like and want. We attend tons of shows to keep up on what’s new and meet new vendors. We try to carry brands that no one else has from high fashion to vintage. I’m also huge on local artists, like Maureen Carroll, Rachel Eva, Michele Huntsman, just to name a few. Personal service along with a clean, fun, friendly environment is really important to me. We greet everyone with a smile and a hello.

What special items might you be stocking in PBNJ that would make great holiday gifts or stocking stuffers?

The holidays are my favorite time of year. PBNJ will be celebrating with a huge sale that starts the Friday after Thanksgiving and goes the entire weekend. We will have treats and cider for everyone. We will be also offering a gift card special. If you purchase a $25 gift card the value on the card will be $50. It will be an action packed weekend. I can’t wait.

PBNJ

Location: 16195 Monterey Road, Suite 60
Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday
Contact: (408) 778-4488, or e-mail [email protected]