Real Deals Home D+¬cor is celebrating 2015 by moving to a brand new location right in the heart of the downtown Monroe.
The grand re-opening will take place from Thursday, Feb. 5, through Saturday, Feb. 7, at 207 N. Lewis St., in the building formerly occupied by Haight Carpet and Interiors. Store hours on Thursday and Friday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Real Deals offers a unique and diverse collection of conversation-starting accent furniture, wall-hangings, decorative accessories, table-top items and much more.
Previously located on Tye Street, owner Kayla Luke is hopeful that the new location will serve to increase her visibility and broaden her customer base.-á Along with keeping her prices reasonable, she makes every effort to keep the merchandise fresh and interesting, and shifts things around during her off days so that her displays don't get stagnant.
"Things are always changing,GÇ¥ Luke said. "We get new shipments in about every week to every other week.GÇ¥
Kayla and her staff enjoy working with customers one-on-one, offering tips on how to best personalize a room or an area of their home. Customers are invited to show up with measurements, photographs of the space they want to decorate, along with a color palette, and Luke and her staff can help them develop their ideas.
"We have the whole store to play with,GÇ¥ Luke said. "I have fun doing it.GÇ¥
She is looking forward to expanding her merchandise to include clothing, in addition to home accessories. The added department will feature fleece-lined and printed leggings, flowing tops, t-shirts, flannels, cardigans, scarves and jewelry.
"It's called RD Boutique,GÇ¥ Luke said. "It's kind of like a store within a store.GÇ¥
Luke feels that the RD Boutique will add a new component to shopping for clothing in downtown Monroe, because her items will add a whole different element to what is currently available.
And when it comes to the winter holidays, explained Luke, Real Deals goes all out. A vast selection of richly-colored themed d+¬cor can be found in the fall for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For spring, she brings in wind-chimes, birdhouses and garden accessories, and also carries specialized items for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Easter.
In addition to creating a shopping environment that is personalized and customer-service oriented, Luke also hosts specialized events in her store. Once a quarter, she coordinates an after-hours "Girls Night OutGÇ¥ event featuring local entrepreneurs, as well as makers of hand-crafted items. Reminiscent of a craft boutique, customers are invited to enjoy an expanded shopping experience.
Last spring she starting hosting Bunco parties, which offer groups of gals the opportunity to come to the store for a night of munchies and gaming. Instead of going to somebody's private residence, they come to the Real Deals store.
Guests are invited to bring appetizers of their choice, and Bunco winners receive Real Deals gift cards as prizes. They are then given their own private shopping party with all the set-up and the clean-up handled by Luke.
Luke's customers have high praise for the customer service at Real Deals, along with the prices.
"You are always greeted when you come in,GÇ¥ said Holly Goodin Hesselgrave. "The product is adorable GÇô I want to buy everything GÇô and because the prices are so reasonable, I can always leave with a few items and have no bank account remorse.GÇ¥
"The store is always filled with current, stylish and well-priced decor and gift items,GÇ¥ said April Bakula. "I will continue to shop at Real Deals no matter where she's locatedGÇ¥
Luke loves living and owning a business in Monroe. She moved to the area with her husband 16 years ago, and the two have raised three children together.
"We love living in Monroe,GÇ¥ she said. "It's a small town but you have everything.GÇ¥
When asked about her favorite part of owning and operating a Real Deals store, Luke doesn't hesitate.
"The customers are awesome,GÇ¥ said said. "They're just great!GÇ¥
For more information on Real Deals, visit www.facebook.com/RealDealsMonroe, or call 425-501-9779. Real Deals Monroe is open every week from Thursday through Saturday, as per the allowable parameters of the franchise. Online ordering is not available at this time.
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