Frankfort Main Street Executive Director Kim Stevens has released two Small Business Spotlights to showcase businesses in downtown Frankfort.
Making home decorating “Simple”
Simple Thyme Antiques and Primitives offers a wide selection of antique furniture and home decor providing customers a place to shop for home goods without leaving Clinton County.
But for Michelle Cox, owner of Simple Thyme, the business is more than just a store.
“[I] love decorating and repurposing antiques,” Cox said, adding that it has been a “lifelong passion.”
Before opening her own business, Cox worked at Federal-Mogul for 24 years.
Currently, Simple Thyme is open four days a week. The store offers seasonal decor, photographs, wall art, pillows, as well as vintage furnishings and decorative items.
Recently, Cox said she started carrying a larger selection of Americana decor.
Cox said customers continue to return to her store because of its welcoming environment.
“They love the homey feeling of my shop,” she said. She added that helping her customers discover decorating ideas was one of the reasons she loved owning her own business.
Cox said COVID-19 helped her discover how quickly the world can change. She added that despite the challenges, she’s learned to adapt her business.
Cox has made many changes to her business to help keep her customers safe. She began using Facebook as a selling tool, and has offered curbside pickup, shipping, and porch delivery.
She also reserved Tuesday as appointment-only, saving every Tuesday for the most vulnerable shoppers.
Simple Thyme Antiques and Primitives is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To contact Simple Thyme, customers can visit Cox’s Facebook page or call 765-652-2504.
Sharing the faith through retail
As the only Christian store in Frankfort, HalleluYah Way offers print materials and faith-based gifts as its ministry and mission.
“My decision to open a Christian store was simply an act of obedience to God’s urgent prompting,” Pam Dial, owner of HalleluYah Way.
Dial said the “greatest blessing” of owning a Christian retail store is interacting with customers who share their faith.
“Moments hared between the children of God are also a special gift and strengthen the bonds of our faith in Christ,” Dial said.
Although Christian retail stores have struggled, Dial said she appreciates that the community supports and appreciates her business.
Dial said she has many loyal customers and is grateful HalleluYah Way has continued to serve Clinton County residents.
Since August of 2008, the store has offered a variety of print materials including Bibles, books, commentaries and studies, as well as a multitude of faith-based gift items. Dial added that the store also serves as a “source for church supplies and curriculum for adults and children.”
Since COVID-19, Dial said she has added more frequent sanitization, limited the number of customers in the store at one time, and placed hand sanitizers throughout the store for customer use.
HalleluYah Way has continued its usual hours, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dial said customers can also access the store through Facebook or can order by phone.
“COVID-19 was certainly a hiccup in everyone’s life this spring,” Dial said. “We are very grateful to God for His faithful provision that has allowed HalleluYah Way to continue in business.”
HalleluYah Way can be reached at 765-659-4335, via email at [email protected], and via Facebook.