Nov 8, 2008

Calico Cat synonymous with downtown revitalizationBy Susan KaufmanGalesburg.com

Galesburg — Having diverse merchandise, providing good customer service and employing great people may not be the most cutting edge components of a successful business, but it certainly has worked well for one Galesburg boutique.

Calico Cat — The Gift Store is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Not bad for a business that began as an upscale hippie clothing boutique and has evolved into specialty shop that has become almost synonymous with successful downtown revitalization.

Mary Matson was originally from Galesburg and after living in Chicago for about 10 years, decided to return to Galesburg with her daughter, Rachel, in 1968 and open her own business. Her previous work experience was mainly in the secretarial field but she dreamed of owning a boutique that carried hand-made clothing and gifts. The road was a bit rocky in the beginning.

With no experience or assets, Mary struggled to get her shop started. “Galesburg was a very conservative town. Even the word boutique was unheard of in Galesburg,” said Mary’s husband, Jay. None of the landlords or trust departments at the local banks were willing to listen to her and the fact that she was a woman didn’t help her case either.

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