Closing but still creating.
That is what the three women who used to own and run the Baroke Design Shoppe said during the store’s last day on March 11.
The feeling in the little home was bittersweet as customers came in and out of the doors, shifting through the last of the inventory with “sold” tags stuck on almost every piece of antique furniture left.
“It’s been crazy busy. The yard was packed by noon … we even sold the light,” Lisette Neva-McCracken, part owner said with a laugh.
The little house, built in 1936 located off of Highway 579, between the Water Valley Saloon and the Hardware store, was packed last Saturday as the owners hosted the final closing sale.
Opened five years ago by friends, Nikki Davidson, and Lisette Neva-McCracken – both from the Water Valley area – and Martha Guy, from Cochrane, who joined in 2012, the intimate shop featured a variety of crafts from more than 15 different contributors, including artisans from the area. Shoppers from near and far browsed the merchandise throughout the three-room home on weekends.
“We started small and slowly built ourselves. We sold at small markets and then decided to open a shop in 2011,” Davidson said in-between selling what was left of the inventory.
“It’s been amazing. We learned a lot but it is time to take a different avenue.”
While most stores shuttering these days are doing so as a result of the depressed economy, Baroke Design is shutting its doors for a reason most would not expect.
“Lots of people thought we were closing because we were too slow but we were too busy,” Davidson said with a laugh.
In addition to business-owners and artisans, the ladies also all carry the title of mother, with eight children between the three.
Guy was not at the shop on the final day as she was ready to give birth any day.
“It’s a hard balance of family and work … we wanted to do less managing and more creating,” Neva-McCracken said.
“Giving up the business is really hard, but we are viewing it as another step forward.”
While the keys to the tiny home will be transferred to another group of ladies from the Water Valley area, the three friends said their crafts will still be available through their website and at the Market Junction in Cremona.
“We want more free time to create and spend time with our families,” Davidson said.
“A big huge thank you to all our customers, consigners, and fellow makers – there are so many people who helped us be successful … we are not going away. Just starting a new adventure.”
To stay up to date on the creative ladies and their latest designs, go to barokedesign.com
