Oct 31, 2008

New owner changes look, merchandise at Linden TreeBy Chris SikichIndyStar.com

Noblesville, IN — Rori Anderson will open the Linden Tree for business Monday, and she’s already wondering what she’s gotten herself into.

Anderson, 47, Westfield, is starting her first full-time job since she quit teaching to raise kids more than 20 years ago, though she’s worked part time for years, including as a Realtor for F.C. Tucker. The hours have been long, but she’s hoping the effort pays off when she opens the doors for customers.

It’s her first go as a business owner. Anderson bought the downtown home decor/gift shop at 856 Logan St. after former owner Linda Petit closed the doors Sept. 22.

“I like the store,” Anderson said. “I shop here, and I thought: ‘How else are you going to get these things?’ ”

She now has a bigger “business” wallet to buy all of the things she loves. Of course, she’ll happily turn around and sell those items to customers.

Anderson purchased Petit’s remaining inventory and placed it in storage in order to search out new items to give the shop a different look. She’ll work in the old merchandise when spots open on the floor and has tried to ensure her merchandise isn’t the same or similar to what’s offered by other downtown shops.

She’s having cabinets, countertops and an island installed to display houseware items in a kitchen vignette. There are also display areas that are set up as a dining room and a den. The latter has gifts to appeal to men, she said, such as globes and metallic sports statues.

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