But it's not. Instead it is a time to look back and see that the meandering path led us to the exact place we wanted to be from the beginning, without even knowing it. While perhaps naive, I like to think this is how most of life works...it just takes some time to see it.
Enough with the cryptic philosophizing -- after four years, we are closing our retail storefront to focus on our interior design business. And we couldn't be more excited! The world of retail has been a wild ride and has opened doors to so many people, places, and things we would never have otherwise known, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
But most of all, it has helped to build a flourishing design business, a passion for which has always been the underlying driver of the storefront. And it has connected us with hundreds (thousands?) of people who would become customers and clients--even friends--and that has been the most rewarding part of the entire journey. Since opening four years ago, the city has become a different place to me, filled with familiar faces everywhere I go. What an amazing gift. Thank you for being a part of that, and for sticking with us as life continued to get crazier with more kids, new locations, different business strategies, and more.
We aren't going far -- just to a second-floor spot down the street (1205 East Pike Street, to be exact) where we will have a by-appointment design office that will house all of our wonderful fabrics, wallpaper, product catalogs, and more... We hope you'll continue to follow along on our endeavors; heck, maybe now I'll *finally* have time to blog again!
The good news? We have to clear the decks here before our big move in a few weeks, and there are still some goodies to be had. All remaining inventory (not including already sold pieces --duh, right? -- and artwork) is 50% off.
Stop by Thursday - Saturday from 10:30 - 2:30 to scoop up some bargains and say hello...we would love to see you. Plus we really don't want to move any more stuff.
Thanks for hanging in there with us through thick and thin. We wouldn't be here without you.
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2 comments:
Leah,
Your post brings back some of my own feelings over this past year. Last year I closed our original showroom that started everything for us. Like you, it gave us a great foundation of design clients which we still enjoy. During the years, I opened a second store which took off like rocket in a local niche market and since they had a little extra space, we moved everybody over there under one roof and we're happier than ever. The move seemed a little sad as we looked ahead to the sorting, boxing, clearance sales, packing the library and samples, etc. I have to admit, it was a bear. But everyone kept the spirit and now I wish I had done it years ago. So, as you move forward, I wish you the strength, the friends and clients you deserve, and the belief that everything happens fora reason. Sometimes it just takes us a while to figure out the reason. Best of luck. Keep up the good work.
P.S. I also started a blog this past year (www.designmindblog.com). I'm enjoying writing it as it reminds me of all the things I've learned over the years. Experience is a wonderful gift. If you want to check out our new showroom website, it's www.islandcitytraders.com. The interior design site is www.retrointeriors.net. Again, best of luck in the move. Wish I was there to lend a hand and some moral support.
Bill Philby, ASID
Hi, Bill. Thanks so much for your comment -- it is always encouraging to hear from others who have made it to "the other side" of similar experiences. And like you, and I am already feeling somewhat liberated and wondering what took me so long to make such a choice.
I will definitely check out your sites as well. All the best!
Leah
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