Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrice Robertson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
District Home Decor has evolved from a “Pop Up” shop. I had a full- time career with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but as a side venture I started a very small shop, open limited hours for by-invitation-only events. Having attended many National Main Street conventions with my husband, who has and is still currently serving on the Chillicothe Main Street Board of Directors, I heard many presentations about “side gig” and “pop up” ventures. This became a reality using an historic building we have owned for a number of years in downtown Chillicothe. Following a few months of sales, it was evident that Chillicothe and the surrounding trade area would support a shop dedicated to home furnishings, rugs, and decor. A construction expansion within our building, originally a lumber yard close to 100 years ago, opened the doors to a full-time shop. A few months after the expansion, a multi-generation family furniture store closed, which left a void for customers. Shortly thereafter manufacturers’ representatives contacted me regarding expanding my scope of business. We completed another expansion to allow the space that would be needed to take this leap of faith to the next step. The business has evolved from serving single walk-in customers to assisting both residential and commercial customers with needs from furniture, rugs, decor, lighting, fireplaces, and more. The shop has a customer base that extends into Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Missouri. The shop is located within the Kelly Poling Arts District, named for our beloved muralist who lost his battle to cancer; his legacy lives on through the many murals that keep the history of Chillicothe alive. Preserving the past while providing for the future, delivering one-on-one customer service, and offering products at reasonable prices continues to be my goal for District Home Decor.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life has certainly not been a smooth road, but I firmly believe without bumps along the way a person will never venture outside his or her comfort zone. Growth is often frightening, but my customers have offered such great encouragement! I find strength through their support and that of my husband and friends.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
District Home Decor is a DBA under EtchNPrint, LLC I am the owner and operate the business with the assistance of a lifelong friend who has worked at the shop for three years. We specialize in home furnishings from pieces for every room of your home and office. District Home Decor is known for a very wide selection of area rugs, washable and traditional. In the past year, the business model has grown to allow the shop to work with customers who purchase a home and want new furniture and accessories, allowing the shop to be a part of their new surroundings. From lake homes, college apartments, commercial spaces, and Air BNBs, our experience has been very exciting and rewarding.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Listening to customers is the number one source. If we listen, we discover what our customers are hoping to find when they come into the shop. The inventory changes rapidly because we are committed to securing quality products at affordable prices. This has led to an amazingly unexpected “word-of-mouth” response from our customers which brings new clientele to the shop each week.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.districthomedecor.com
- Facebook: District Home Decor
