TOLEDO, Ohio — The Paula Brown Shop has been a fixture in downtown retail for 20 years. The store, known for unique household and gift items, will soon close.
"I have met the nicest people and I love being downtown," owner Paula Brown said.
Brown has been running her successful shop on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo since 1999. She has traveled the world looking for unique items to share with her customers.
"I'm gonna miss the people. I'm gonna miss the buying trips. I'm gonna miss a lot of it. I think once somebody is a retailer, they're always a retailer," Brown said.
For now though, Brown said it's time to say goodbye to her shop. She and her husband are retiring and looking forward to spending more time with their grandkids and traveling.
Brown said the decision to close isn't a financial one. She said the store isn't in trouble, but she does admit that she's had to reinvent her business over the years.
"Our bridal registry has been very effective. Our Christmas season is great, but I've gotta say, Amazon and the internet and things like that have made a difference," she said.
Now, customers can take advantage of a massive sale. Everything is on sale, even the fixtures and the building itself.
"I love that the gifts are just unique, distinctive, really artistic," customer Mary Clark said. Clark said she was surprised to learn the store is closing.
"I'm happy for them that they can have some more time to do some other things, but I love the shop so I'm sad that it's gonna close," she said.
Brown said the pub will remain open until the building sells. The shop will close when inventory runs out.