Feature Story : Audrey's Attic
Treasures await discovery in Audrey’s Attic
By Lisa Amstutz
“Home—Our Little Piece of Heaven” reads one of the wooden signs for sale at Audrey’s Attic in downtown Orrville, and this store is all about helping people to create just that. Shoppers linger in the store, inhaling the scent of candles, soaking in the ambiance and gathering inspiration for their own homes.
“We chose the name Audrey’s Attic because you never know what you’re going to find in an attic,” said storeowner Audrey Merkle. “There are always a lot of treasures hidden there!” Audrey’s Attic is no exception. The store is a treasure trove of country-style home décor items that are both affordable and attractively displayed. “To me, ‘country’ are things that make you feel good,” Merkle said. “I like simple things—sometimes simple is more beautiful.” She enjoys taking old items that others might throw away and incorporating their warm, well-worn look into her décor. Along with the store’s wood floors, homespun fabrics, folk art and candles, these older pieces give it a homey, inviting feel.
Customer service is Merkle’s favorite part of the job. She loves to put a smile on each customer’s face by helping them select just the right gift or item for their home and packaging it attractively. “I’ve never gone to school for this but I like to make people happy and I like to decorate,” she said. “I buy things for the store that I would buy for my home; things that the average person can afford. Anybody can find something here for under $20. Even if you have only one display--on an entry table, for instance--a new garland, table runner or candle can help freshen the look each season.”
Audrey’s Attic carries a large variety of merchandise that customers can mix and match to create their own style, pairing rustic items for a primitive look or delicate pieces for a Victorian look. While most items in the store are new, there are some antiques sprinkled throughout.
Audrey’s Attic is a family affair. Merkle’s family is very supportive and one daughter works with her at the store. Their employees and regular customers have become like family as well. Three cats, Daisy, Bella and Blaze, round out the Audrey’s Attic clan. They provide plenty of entertainment and often slow traffic outside with their antics in the front windows.
Merkle opened Audrey’s Attic 10 years ago, when her children were in high school. “I thought I’d go home at the end of the day and make supper!” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “It’s a good thing I was naive or I’d never have done it. But I’ve grown with the store as it’s grown.”
The store has grown quite a bit since it opened, doubling to 5,000-square-feet after only six months when an adjacent store became available. “It’s bigger than it looks,” Merkle noted. She uses every square foot of space to display merchandise from floor to ceiling. You won’t find any boring shelves of boxes here; each item is creatively situated in one of the continually changing displays.
Audrey’s Attic offers baskets, wreaths and garlands, curtains and tablecloths, artwork, cards, Americana, lamps, furniture and much more. Swan Creek soy candles, made in Ohio, are a recent addition to the store. Since the candles burn with no soot, they are cleaner and healthier than traditional paraffin candles.
Another popular product line, exclusive to Audrey’s Attic, is Rusty Nail furniture. Built by a local husband and wife team, the primitive-style, solid poplar furniture is available in nine different colors. They are happy to create custom pieces upon request.
If you need inspiration for a certain area of your home, or have a certain piece you’d like to accessorize, bring in the item or a photo and the Audrey’s Attic staff will be happy to brainstorm ideas for you. Merkle always encourages people to put their special belongings out where they can see and enjoy them. “If you have a special plate from Grandma, put a candle on it and display it. It will make Grandma smile to see you using it,” she said.
Audrey’s Attic greets each month with new seasonal displays and products. They run special monthly promotions and discounts such as January’s “Winter Blues,” the May “Spring Clean the Attic” sale, and fall “Something to Crow About” drawing. Sign up for their mailing list in order to receive notification of these events. A monthly postcard mailing lists all weekly specials and the candle of the week so shoppers can plan their trips accordingly. Customers on the mailing list also receive a special coupon in their birthday month.
Audrey’s Attic is located at 147 N. Main Street, Orrville, Ohio. Current specials are advertised on their Web site at www.shopaudreysattic.com. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Thursdays until 7 p.m.
