Eclectic preparing for upcoming move

Published 1:16 pm Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Karen Colter Barrett grew up in Gray, Georgia before moving to Macon following her graduation. Once there, Barrett attended Mercer University where she obtained a degree in art. Her journey would eventually take her to Milledgeville in 1985. She is a mother to three sons, has an 8-year-old granddaughter, and is the proud owner of Eclectic, a gift shop located here in Milledgeville.

Barrett has spent the majority of her adult life working in the retail space. From 1995 to 2005, she owned a retail shop before retiring. During her roughly nine years of retirement, Barrett said that she spent time doing “odds and ends jobs.”

Everything changed in 2014 when she came across a location in downtown Milledgeville and decided to open a gift shop. That gift shop is Eclectic, named as such to reflect Barrett’s personal style. 

Though Barrett has had a retail business in the mall, a strip mall, and now downtown, she said that she has found her niche with Eclectic. 

Eclectic is an interesting shop that offers a variety of unique gifts, jewelry and home accessories. Barrett also listens to her customers, as evidenced by her willingness to add local decor and collectibles after several people came into the shop wanting them. 

“Many of our specialties include items that are specific to Milledgeville and Lake Sinclair,” she said. 

Barrett goes to gift shows in Atlanta twice a year and makes several visits to AmericasMart Atlanta as part of her effort to find fresh and exciting items for Eclectic. Not only that, but they get new shipments in every week, which Barrett said can include products that are new in addition to their usual merchandise. 

While Eclectic is currently located at 132 N. Wayne St., the business is moving, but not too far. The new space will be located at 113 N. Wayne St., which is close to its current home. 

Barrett said that the hope is they will get everything done and move “before the end of this month.” 

The move has presented Barrett with challenges. 

“The biggest challenge in relocating is just waiting for the space to be ready and trying to time everything to be packed and moved over,” she said. “So far we haven’t been able to move anything yet at all.” 

Once they have an official move date, Barrett said she will send out emails and announce it on social media.

“I look forward to reorganizing and rearranging everything,” she said.

She added that she thinks that “being between Ace and Metropolis is going to be a great location.”

Not only will the new location give them more room, but Barrett said she is also hopeful that it will increase foot traffic. 

For now, Eclectic and Barrett are sticking it out at 132 N.Wayne St and the shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any updates to store hours and new products can be found on the Facebook and Instagram pages. They currently have several 25% and 50% off clearance sales to try to eliminate products before their move. 

Barrett’s goal is for shopping at Eclectic to be enjoyable and recalled a moment when a customer mentioned that the shop had personality. 

“I will do my best to create the same interesting, fun and eclectic atmosphere in our new location,” she said.