Simmons family transforms eBay store into ‘brick-and-mortar’ store in High Springs
Adam Padgett, Suzanne Kent and Lani Simmons pose in front of some of the merchandise in their newly opened Back to Nature Gifts, located in downtown High Springs.
What began five years ago for the Simmons family as an eBay T-shirt sale has grown into a new family-run business in the middle of High Springs.
The owners of Back to Nature Gifts, which opened July 13, have years of experience selling and shipping all types of clothing and decorations across the world through the Internet.
The Simmons, however, chose High Springs for their first offline “brick-and-mortar” store, saying their new 2-floor location near the corner of Northwest First Avenue and Main Street seemed like the perfect place.
“When we see the right place, we know it,” said CEO Lani Simmons, 39, the daughter of Suzanne Kent, 64, and mother of Alex Simmons, 21, and Adam Padgett, 17.
These four locals have already set to work in outfitting the store with all manner of duck coasters, puppy tote bags, cat pillows, raccoon mugs, garden kneelers, horse mats, fish bowls and turtle plushes.
The large, rustic-brick shop smells of aromatherapy candles and natural soaps, which the store also sells.
