A quiet business renaissance has recently taken place at the corner of First Avenue Southwest and Southwest 160th Street in Burien.

Herr Backyard Garden Center was joined on the property earlier this year by Two French Hens and Caf/ Lip Shtick.

Open for five years, Herr Backyard Garden Center is the brainchild of sisters-in-law Lisa Herr and Diane Herr-Lorella. The two convinced their family Burien needed a garden center.

"We literally started with a piece of green grass carpet, two chairs and some racks of flowers with fences around them," Herr-Lorella said.

People bought the flowers and the business grew, eventually filling much of the former Herr Lumber site, which the sisters-in-law now own.

The garden center's wares have expanded to include everything from plants to outdoor furniture and indoor d/cor.

Tucked into the eastern side of the building that houses Herr Backyard Garden Center at 107 S.W. 160th St., the Two French Hens antiques market was opened in May by shopkeepers Margaret Shattuck and Michelle Schulz.

Two French Hens carries vintage 1960s and older merchandise from several local antiques dealers, ranging from large furniture to jewelry.

The mother-daughter team has eliminated the divisions between dealers' sections typical in an antiques mall so the space feels open and inviting.

Some merchandise is unusual, such as luxury items for men and antique light fixtures recycled into clever bird feeders.

"One of our dealers has a business in Des Moines for estate and vintage jewelry, so the items she has in our shop are higher end," Shattuck said."

Shattuck and her sister operated an antiques shop for five years on Southwest 152nd Street until Shattuck's sister retired and moved to Boise to years ago.

For Shattuck, an antiques business is the perfect use of her studies in interior design and her love for art.

Two French Hens, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Caf/ Lip Shtick, the property's brightly colored drive-up coffee stand, has already garnered a steady stream of regulars.

Owner Susan Farrow, who previously worked in road construction, is particular about her coffee.

"I drink a lot of coffee, and I was often disappointed with drive-up coffee places," Farrow said.

After plenty of research, Farrow chose a coffee whose flavor she loves: organic Raven's Brew from Ketchikan, Alaska. Even the company's decaffeinated coffee met Farrow's standards for richness and full body.

Farrow also found an espresso machine that grinds the beans and brews the coffee for a perfect cup of joe no matter how inexpert the barista.

Contributing to Lip Shtick's success since opening in January is its funky sense of humor and little extras.

Daily specials are advertised on lipstick-colored signs shaped like lips, cards get the bearer a free beverage after 10 purchases, and drinks are served in kiss-stamped cups accompanied by a Hershey's chocolate kiss.

Caf/ Lip Shtick, 115 S.W. 160th St., is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Herr Garden Center is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

"We pride ourselves on bringing in unique, fun stuff," Herr-Lorella said.

"We stock things bigger nurseries won't stock, that may be really unique or just on the market," Herr-Lorella said.

They make plant selection easier by designating their use, such as shade lovers or butterfly attractors. Customers are also drawn by extras like gardening seminars-and a forest of decorated Christmas trees in December.