When the timing is right
The Murphy family enjoying the Christmas lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens in December 2024. Top row: Brent, Elle, Emily, Joelle and Ames (4); bottom row: Beth, Drew, Nell (2) and Kyle.
Originally from Muncie, Indiana, Beth Murphy knew she wanted to do something in retail and did something about it. In 2022, Beth left her job at a local preschool and opened Ladybug’s at The Barn Antiques & Specialty Shops (The Barn) in Castle Rock.
“The timing was right,” said Beth, who lives in the Tapestry Hills neighborhood. She loved the concept of the variety of shop owners all together in two stories that The Barn offers.
Ladybug’s is a novelty shop where shoppers find candles from Muncie, kitchen accessories, felted creations, Colorado travel posters, home décor, cards, soap and other treasures. Beth wanted product in the store that reminded her of her childhood, as well as merchandise useful for the home and meaningful to customers. There is a section in the store displaying small wooden animals because her mom loved giraffes and elephants.
Beth Murphy in her store, Ladybug’s.
The Ladybug’s name was inspired by Beth’s love of gardening, nature and the outdoors. “And because ladybugs are the cutest bug in the garden,” she added.
Beth graduated from Ball State University in 1982 with a major in natural resources. She married husband, Brent, in 1984 and the couple moved from Texas with their four children, Drew, Kyle, Elle, and Emily to Evergreen in 2005. When Brent found a new job in 2018, they knew they wanted a home near his office that also offered the natural surroundings, wildlife and mountains they had grown to appreciate in Evergreen.
Beth and Brent found Castle Pines online and visited the area a few times. “During one visit driving around, we came across a herd of elk on Daniels Park Road and knew, this is like home,” stated Beth.
Shortly before the move, son Drew, who was living in Castle Rock at the time, mentioned “this really cool store called The Barn.” Beth visited the store and adored it, purchasing many goods for the new home—not realizing what was yet to come.
When not at Ladybug’s, Beth enjoys spending time with her grown children (and two grandchildren) in Colorado and Texas, skiing, participating in bible studies at Foundry Church and enjoying the outdoors. Brent likes to take photos of the Milky Way and showcases them in art shows.
Ladybug’s occupies the second shop upstairs from the front entrance on the Perry Street side of The Barn, located at 400 Third Street.
A few of the felted trivets, home decor and other finds at Ladybug’s.
Article and photos by Liane Davis; photos courtesy of Beth Murphy
