In the world of small downtown retail business, it’s not very often that a business closes its doors for a year and then bounces back to overcome the odds, yet that’s the story for Slocum’s Gifts, Decor & More in downtown Buchanan where they celebrated their re-opening with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony with the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce over the weekend.
The eclectic little shop, owned & operated by Penny Slocum-Correa, was a staple for half a dozen years and became a virtual anchor store to the community’s central business district before personal circumstances drove her to the decision to close down operations at 111 Main street in the city last year.
That was an extremely difficult decision for someone whose lifelong dream was her inexhaustible desire to work in the realm of decorating. When she first launched her new venture in downtown Buchanan in 2010, despite the overhang of the effects of the national recession, she enjoyed a solid trade thanks to many loyal customers.
Despite the more than two and a half dozen empty store fronts in the community at the time, Penny prevailed with her broad array of things for one’s home decor, including everything from kitchen items and unique signage to gift items, jewelry, and beyond for savvy shoppers hoping for tips on trends and styles in the home decor sector. That’s the part that Penny loves, thanks to her sidebar business as an interior decorator.
Thanks to a never-ending drive to re-boot her dream, the newly re-opened Slocum’s Gifts, Decor & More has returned to the retail stage in Michigan’s Great Southwest, including many items personally chosen at various markets by Penny who relies on her unique eye for the most popular and appealing product lines available.
The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce helped the shop to host a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday morning at 10am where the Chamber’s Executive Director Randy Hendrixson called her “an absolute anchor to this community.” He welcomed the store back into the fold.
Slocum’s is an affordable alternative to anyone seeking home decor items. After closing down last year and disappearing from the retail scene for a year, Slocum’s is back at it with Penny at the helm, assisted by her part-time help, Cheryl Bridges, a long time friend.
Welcome back, Penny Slocum-Correa, and best of luck with your re-boot!
