Mar 9, 2008

Small Biz: Passion for decorating leads to new storeBy OnlineAthens.com

Andrew Downs is hoping his new Five Points interior design business, Andrew Downs and Co., can help curb Athens shoppers’ trips to Atlanta to buy material they can’t find locally.

Downs, who lives in Winder, opened his full-service interior design shop and upscale gift shop Feb. 29 on South Lumpkin Street in the former Jingle’s space, next to Four Seasons.

“We noticed people come in and breathe a sigh of relief because they said they don’t have to go to Atlanta,” Downs said.

Before opening Andrew Downs and Co., Downs had been selling a limited line of fabrics in Athens Interiors and was building a client base who found his selections saved them traveling to Atlanta seeking unique patterns and looks.

“Athens people were going to Atlanta to buy better fabric,” Downs said. “So I brought a few of the fabrics I had to Athens Interiors and was doing more helping people with curtains and doing a little decorating.”

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