Cattail’s, a home décor, apparel and gift shop on Court Street in Mathews, is now under new ownership.
Mike and Jess Elkins of Mathews purchased the popular store last month and, while they’re keeping most of the same lines of products, have already begun to expand the inventory and add new lines, including a number of items for men.
The shop is brimming with gift choices, including the newly-added Alex Carol Jewelry, Mr. Bird edible bird seed cottages and wreaths, Judy Blue jeans, Toadfish gift sets, men’s belts and buckles, Foghat Cocktail Smokers by Thousand Oaks Barrel Co., and Camp craft cocktail mixes.
A glance around also turns up the familiar and well-loved Habitat, Umgee, and Lulu-B lines of women’s clothing, a collection of The Oyster Bag handbags, and expanded lines of bedding sets, MacKenzie’s scrubs and lotions for fishermen, and infant clothing, to name a few.
The Elkins have also expanded business hours, staying open until 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and opening from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. With the new hours will be some new faces, as well. High school students Hannah McBurney, Kristen Hudgins and Kole Speight will work at the shop on evenings and weekends, joining longtime employees Jeannie Elliott and Jo Ellen Boykin.
Mike Elkins said he and Jess moved their family to Mathews a year ago, and they shopped at Cattail’s often, purchasing items for their home.
“When we saw the ‘for sale’ sign go up, we didn’t want it to go away,” he said. “Plus, it’s a way to get to know people. What better way than to jump into Cattail’s?”
Mike and Jess both still work in jobs that support the defense industry, but they plan to retire in four or five years, and Cattail’s is part of their retirement plan. While this is their first venture into retail, Mike said that “Jess is a professional who has always had a good eye” and will serve as the buyer, while Mike himself will be “the back-end guy,” keeping the books, overseeing the website, and handling the new point-of-sale system that will allow online sales.
The partners said it’s important to them to listen to the community to learn what’s working, and that one of their goals is make it “affordable to get a quick gift.”
For more information, visit Cattail’sfinegifts.com.
