Simply Chic Home Accents, a downtown fixture at 101 West 3rd Street for more than 12 years, will close its doors after the first of the year, according to owner Debi Ford, who plans to spend more time with her husband in England and her grandchildren. The location will be available for rent, while the adjacent space which is currently empty is already available.
The shop – known for its home décor and gifts and as the local stockist for Annie Sloan chalk paint – was nearly sold earlier this year, but the deal fell through. Ford hopes another buyer will step in to continue the business.
“It would be amazing if someone else wanted to step into an established shop,” she said.
Before closing, Simply Chic will host a final Christmas celebration, followed by a clearance sale.
“It’s time for me to spend more time with my husband in England and devote more time to my grandchildren here and over there,” Ford said. “I’ve met so many wonderful friends over the years, and I’m grateful for the community’s support. This shop has been such a blessing.”
Building owner Rosemary Conder also said the space adjacent to Simply Chic and previously occupied by A Day in Time is currently available.
Each space is approximately 1,800 square feet, with a total of 3,600 square feet available for lease. The building dates back to the 1880s and has a rich history, including housing the first local newspaper, serving as a boarding house, and being a restaurant.
It has undergone significant renovations and now features four apartments on its upper floors, two ground-floor retail spaces, and a basement for storage. Conder noted that the building’s location at the corner of 3rd and Allen Streets offers high visibility and heavy traffic.
“I think downtown is what makes a city unique,” Conder said. “We’ve tried to encourage and support new businesses that need a little bit of a cushion with rent.”
The rental rate for the spaces is around $12 per square foot, which Conder says is competitive for new businesses looking to establish themselves downtown. Interested parties can contact Conder via Facebook or email at [email protected].
