Deborah Humphries 
Denise Nelson
BLYTHEWOOD – Deborah Humphries and Denise Nelson grew up in military families, moving from post to post, wherever their dads’ Army jobs took them. It was while their dads were both stationed at Ft. Jackson Army Base in the 1970’s that the two women – then pre-teens – first crossed paths at Coughman Road Middle School where they became best friends …forever.
While Humphries ended up in Blythewood, Denise recently retired from a TV station in Wilmington, N.C. and moved to Ridgeway. This week, the two are opening a shop in Ridgeway called “Eclectic Station.”
“Station since the building used to be the town’s police station,” Humphries explained. “And Eclectic because of the shop’s offerings – painted furniture, new stuff, old stuff, home décor pieces, pillows and other things – maybe something worn or damaged that we have turned around and made beautiful with purpose.”
Humphries says she’s always wanted a little storefront.
“I love to paint things,” she said, as evidenced by the pink walls and black floor in the shop. “During the last several years I’ve sold my painted furniture pieces in Liz’s (Blythewood Consignment) store and at other consignment shops.
“Denise and I have always shared a love for creating things,” she said. “She leans toward mid-century modern and industrial. I like country French and European. I was born in Germany, lived in Europe for a while, and have an affinity for all styles and furnishings European.”
Humphries’ husband, Randy, owns Circle H, a home building company, and she works with his clients, helping design houses and suggesting home décor and paint colors. So, a retail painted furniture shop was not foreign to her interests.
Denise, too, is into repurposing discarded furniture and other items into useful home furnishings and décor.
Being creative, looking for something different, and together again, the two women jumped headfirst into opening a business together.
“We hatched the idea over margaritas at San Jose’s restaurant in Blythewood,” Humphries said, with a laugh.
“We’ll be doing what we want to do, not what we have to do,” she said. “I think it will be fun, and I hope profitable. We both like to take something that doesn’t look like much and make it into something really nice that someone can’t live without.”
The women say they will also offer custom painting on furniture and other items that customers bring in.
“Our shop is not a consignment store or an antique store,” Humphries said. “It’s primarily a painted furniture store with some home décor pieces. Clearly, it’s a little different,” she said with a smile. “And we hope everyone will stop in and see what we have.”
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays – Saturdays.
The store is located at 160 S. Palmer Street in downtown Ridgeway.
