At home again, Alexander-Persse opens The French Nest in downtown Salisbury – Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — Seated at a classic eating table, surrounded by lamps, bookcases and decorations, Wendy Alexander-Persse is at dwelling in her new store in downtown Salisbury.

Named The French Nest, the vintage decor keep is located at 119 S. Primary St. and offers anything from home furniture to handmade candles and linen aprons.

In addition to currently being loaded with things Alexander-Persse handpicked herself — and she only picks items likes — the retail outlet is comfortable to her simply because it’s the place she launched her 1st foray into Salisbury commerce 11 yrs ago.

“I really like this room and how best to be back where I begun in 2010,” Alexander-Persse stated. “I looked at a pair other places, but this block is my favored.”

Called Grayshores Investing, the keep might have been the 1st shop Alexander-Persse opened in Salisbury, but she was now a seasoned smaller small business operator at the time.

A native of New York, Alexander-Persse moved to Salisbury in 1986 and stayed for about 7 many years just before going down the jap seaboard to Brunswick, Ga. There, she owned and operated two retailers. Right after marketing the next business, Alexander-Persse worked at a vintage retail store in Brunswick, in which she discovered many vital methods of the trade.

“I experienced worked for a woman my very last two years in Brunswick who has the most effective retail store I have ever been in. I acquired to perform for her for two and a 50 % a long time,” Alexander-Persse claimed. “I realized a lot. She was extremely generous with her suppliers and sharing details.”

When Alexander-Persse moved back again to Salisbury to escape the relentless southeastern Ga heat, she put her organization acumen and know-how of vintage merchandise to use and opened Grayshores Trading. She released one more venture, known as Zinc, close to the practice station a several yrs afterwards and then procured the Literary Bookpost in 2016.

She planned to get a crack from getting a little company operator after marketing the bookstore, which she renamed South Primary Guide Enterprise, in 2019. Her aim throughout the past calendar year has largely been on getting a parent to her infant daughter, Harriet.

Alexander-Persse’s spouse, Lauren, explained the past calendar year has been a whirlwind, but that she’s energized to assistance Alexander-Persse’s most the latest store.

Alexander-Persse did take care of to keep out of small business, but only for so extended. The attract of connecting with customers when once again proved as well sturdy.

“After I bought the bookstore, I seriously skipped the customers,” Alexander-Persse mentioned.

What sealed her choice to reenter downtown commerce was an impromptu stop by to the vacant storefront at 119 S. Key St. in November. Even however she wasn’t ready to commence a organization at the time, observing the renovated house obtained the wheels turning in her head. She started accumulating classic products and signed a lease in January.

“I seriously sort of started a enterprise prior to I even signed the lease,” Alexander-Persse mentioned.

The French Nest name was coined by Lauren and is a nod to Alexander-Persse’s affinity for Paris and European-encouraged decor.

Alexander-Persse’s business return to downtown has been properly acquired, she explained. Most of the faces she’s noticed have been acquainted, especially these who have frequented The French Nest on weekdays. She’s even had consumers wander in, not realizing it is her store, and exclaim how identical it feels and seems to be to Grayshores Buying and selling.

Working on the 100 block of South Most important Road after again, Alexander-Persse is doing the job alongside longtime friends. 

“I appreciate the neighborhood down right here,” Alexander-Persse said. “Cheryl (Goins) at Pottery 101 and Bob (Lambrecht) at Critters are some of my most effective buddies. I just appreciate it. I could not think about staying out away from downtown and on my possess somewhere.”

Together with household furniture and decor Alexander-Persse procured from her reliable pickers and vendors, The French Nest features merchandise designed regionally by her mates, including soap crafted by Teri Fox and linen aprons designed by Cindy Morgan.

“I was able to simply call a few friends that I realized had sure abilities and say ‘Can you build this for the retail store?’” Alexander-Persse explained.

The refined, still placing mural on a person of the store’s partitions was painted by a different buddy, Cara Reische, who also intended the shop’s symbol.

The store’s candles, Alexander-Persse mentioned, have been traveling off the shelf. So far too have several of the shop’s other choices. 

“I’ve had to make a few buying trips previously, so that’s great,” Alexander-Persse claimed.

Alexander-Persse is not searching to get abundant off of her hottest endeavor. She gave up that quest extended in the past.

“In my 20s I felt panicked to make cash, make ‘my mark’ in a massive way,” Alexander-Persse mentioned. “Then I arrived to know it’s definitely about building your corner of the environment gorgeous, make it work for your self and show some kindness to the rest of the environment.”

The French Nest is open Tuesday via Friday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.