EATON — The City of Eaton officially has a new antique store. The Duchess and the Greyhound, located at 212 E. Main Street, is described as an “antique, vintage, industrial, gifts, and home decor event store.”
The grand-opening celebration was held on Saturday, Dec. 2. Open only select times each month, the rest of the time Owner Nickie Chaffee will be traveling looking for items for the store.
The interesting name of the new store was derived from Chaffee’s stone greyhounds she has in front of her house. She added “the duchess” to honor her heritage.
Chaffee moved to the Eaton from England 18 years ago. There she met her husband at Lewisburg Container, where she used to sell packaging machinery.
“We’ve always had a passion for antiques. We currently are selling out of the Ohio Valley Antique Mall. We went to this building for the work space and there was a possibility of opening a store,” she said. “Everyone just encouraged us to do it. That is how we ended up here. We are really happy to be a part of downtown Eaton,” Nickie Chaffee said.
“We are considered an event store. I will host an event once a month, that way I can go out and travel and gather all sorts of things from all areas. I’ll be posting it on Facebook, so people can see what I’m finding. Then we’ll post the days I’ll be open for that month. Everything will be for sale.”
Unlike other grand openings, The Duchess and the Greyhound did not have a soft opening, so the event on Saturday was also their first day of business. The store was busy all of Saturday, proving their first day to be a success.
“We did absolutely fantastic today,” Chaffee said. “I’m so thrilled and couldn’t be happier. We’ve had an overwhelming response. I appreciate all the support we’ve had from the Chamber of Commerce and downtown. Everyone is being so friendly and welcoming, we’re just absolutely thrilled.
“I just want to thank everybody. Downtown Eaton and all the businesses, as well as the Chamber. I have a huge list, but I think I’ll thank them personally.”
She added, they might eventually consider expanding the store, but that is a conversation that will need to be had with the city at a later date.
