The three owners of a successful business in downtown St. Joseph say they are looking for the ‘Perfect Person’ to write the next chapter of a story they lovingly began twelve years ago, and believe has many more chapters to be written.
Harbor Town Interiors is located at 613 Broad Street—across the street from the Old City Hall and Fire Station, now Broad Street Café. Harbor Town is an upscale furniture and home décor business, but, its owners say, it’s really so much more! It’s the home base for their successful interior design business throughout the region, even extending into the Chicago market. They want to find an entrepreneurial individual who shares their vision, and then do everything they can to help that person be successful as the new owner of Harbor Town Interiors.
Stephanie Grill, MaryKay Hylton and Kerry Cressler have owned and operated Harbor Town Interiors since 2010. Grill and Hylton sat down with MoodyOnTheMarket.com to talk about their vision for the future and the legacy they hope to leave with a new owner/designer.
Hylton told us, “We want to pass the torch, not put it out! We’re in our 60s, It’s time. Maybe not next week or next month, but it’s time. We’re ready to phase out, but not just quit and go out of business!”
Hylton and Grill point out that they have a successful, growing business that can continue to grow into the future. “It just needs the next passionate entrepreneur to build on the past success. And then inject their own new vision and energy!”
Who is that next owner?
Hylton sees that person this way: “They LOVE houses. And they love looking at great houses and furniture.” And they truly enjoy their surroundings and helping create them.
“Do people tell you they love your home? Are you always decorating? Then YOU might be the one!”
Hylton says the person may have a degree in Interior Design or a similar field, or just a longtime interest. And they are at a point in their life where they can now devote time to pursuing that interest. “For that person, this would be the perfect business opportunity!”
“In a way,” Hylton said, “We were buying ourselves jobs 12 years ago. And that might be the case with the next owner. You know what they say, ‘Love what you do and you’ll never WORK a day! That’s really how it’s been for us.”
Hylton, Grill and Cressler formed their business partnership after working together at Great Lakes Interiors, a Holland-based furniture and décor store with several locations. Great Lakes took over the historic Troost Brothers furniture store half a block from the current Harbor Town location. Grill says Great Lakes was quite successful here, but the chain got dragged down by problems elsewhere. So, when it shut down, the three banded together to start their own business.
“We’re interior design, home décor and furniture. Quality is our niche. Quality and personal service,” says Grill. She believes there is plenty of room in the market for full line furniture stores to co-exist with Harbor Town. “We’re not direct competitors with Schroeder or Slumberland. They have great products and we often make referrals. However our customers sometimes want something a little more personalized or specialized.”
Hylton says it’s surprising how many of their design and décor consulting clients just walk in off the street while visiting downtown St. Joseph for a weekend or a vacation. “Or they’re just downtown shopping and are looking for that ‘one special piece.’ They come in, find what they’re looking for and come back weeks or months later with a design project. It’s amazing how often it works that way.”
Hylton and Grill have particular praise and gratitude to Cornerstone Alliance and the Women’s Business Center of Cornerstone for all the assistance they received back in 2010 when they created their business plan, obtained financing and opened their doors. Hylton recalled, “They were crucial to our start-up and our ability to survive and prosper in the beginning. We couldn’t have done it without Cornerstone and the resources it provided us.”
Hylton said the confidence they gained drove Harbor Town to combine and occupy what had been two storefronts, allowing them to immediately get into furniture as well as décor and design consulting. The space was leased, however later Grill became the owner of the building and looks forward to leasing to the next owner of Harbor Town.
If you think YOU might be that passionate entrepreneur to write the next chapter in the business life of Harbor Town Interiors, contact MaryKay Hylton or Stephanie Grill in confidence at 269-983-7774.
Email: beach@harbortowninteriors.comcastbiz.net
