The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Roxy’s Emporium boutique offers unique items
Anything from homemade soaps to doggy treats can be found at Roxy’s Emporium located at 604 Middle Ave. in Elyria.
Roxy’s is a place for local vendors to set up their own small stores. It aims to create a unique boutique filled with quality handmade items, unusual gift ware and art, according to proprietor Deb Born.
It’s a place for people to rent space and sell their items, and there is no commission fee so vendors
can put their own prices on it, she said.
The store opened its door on Sept. 5 and is already taking off.
“We haven’t even been open for a week and it started getting full,” Born said. “I mean the house and the whole thing has taken on a life of its own and I love it. Honestly, I love this little shop.”
Patrons can walk into the sights of golden old wood, wonderful art from local artists, the aroma of handmade soaps, candles, and creamy lotions, hand crafted jewelry, hand made purses or scarves, salt lamps and candles, Roxy’s website states.
Roxy’s currently has 24 vendors and is open to welcoming more with unique items.
“I don’t want it to be like a flea market, I want more boutique items,” Born said. “I don’t want it to be a place where you find a whole booth of carnival glass — there’s a place for that, but it doesn’t fit in here. I want things that are a little more unique.”
Born was inspired to open the store when she had several items featured in the Elyria Art Works Gallery downtown.
“They had some wonderful things, great artist and have been such a great help to me,” she said. “But, I’m not a known artist and neither are my things, and I thought Elyria needs a place where people who are not well known and who do crafts or whatever can have a place to sell their things.”
Aside from being inspired by the gallery, Born knows Elyria is on the rise and wanted to be apart of the rebirth.
“I love Elyria, I mean Lorain County in general, but I was here when there was Sears, Penney’s and all these wonderful stores downtown,” Born said. “I watched my city fizzle out and I wanted to create a place where people could come shop again because there isn’t much.
“But, things are looking up for the city and it’s nice to be able to provide the community with something.”
Born is not new to entrepreneurship as she previously owned a business called Roxy Reads in Amherst, and a part of that business can now be found at Roxy’s Emporium. Old books from Roxy Reads are located in the store as well as books from New York native and North Ridgeville resident Mike Haszto.
Even though the store is filling up, there are still small spaces vendors can use.
“When people walk in I want every space to be filled with items,” she said. “I’m not sure how many vendors can fit here, but I want this place to be full.”
Although Born is the proprietor, she says the store really belongs to the vendors.
“Its been so much fun watching what everyone does,” she said. “Each display is so different, and yet it all goes together. The vendors are building the boutique — I’m not, they are. Its taking on a personality that just I love.”
Born hopes Roxy’s Emporium makes a difference in the community.
“I want this to be a place where people come and feel happy,” Born said. “I am happy about this being open and I want to spread that happiness. I want vendors to be successful in what they do as well.”