Susan Thomas, owner of Cypriana, announced this week that she will be closing her retail store on First Avenue South because of the economy’s impact on her business. Throughout the month of October, she is selling her inventory as well as all furniture and fixtures. Her store will be open its regular hours through October 30, 2009.

Though her retail location is closing, Thomas will continue to keep her online store open so customers will still have access to her all-natural and organic products for baby, bed and bath. For more information about Cypriana, visit the online webstore or Cypriana’s blog.

Cypriana is only one of a handful of downtown Kent stores that has closed this year, including American Charm, Chair & Trellis and Meeker Street Emporium.

Located on First Avenue South in downtown Kent, Cypriana has added an online store to its offerings. Now you can shop for the same great products – organic bedding & bath products; organic baby clothing, bedding and diaper bags; and brands like DreamSacks, Area and Nandina – at your convenience. Shop at Cypriana 24-7.

Enjoy the great selection of organic and all-natural products that owner Susan Thomas has to offer without leaving home. You’ll be thrilled with your purchases! I’ve bought several items – baby gifts, a bamboo throw and bath products – and every one of them has met or exceeded my expectations. My favorite – my DreamSacks bamboo throw in chocolate brown – luxuriously soft!

Cypriana makes it easy to go green!

If you still have last minute gifts to buy and want to avoid the mall, consider shopping in downtown Kent. Both Kent Station and Kent’s historic district have some unique options. Here are a few of my favorites:

Earthworks Gem Design Studio: Steve St. Louis has some beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry that your sweetheart will love.

Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts: Consider a gift certificate to treat a loved one to a yoga or tai chi class or a massage treatment.

Balanced Athlete: This First Avenue shop has a great selection of running gear including exercise clothing, shoes and more. Owner Eric Sach can hook you up with something perfect for the athlete on your gift list.

Cypriana: This natural home store features wonderfully natural and organic products for home, bath and baby. In addition, owner Susan Thomas is an expert at designing custom slipcovers and embroidery for your home.

Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage: Treat yourself or a friend to a delightful massage, facial, skin care treatment or waxing. The personal care boutique also has some great stocking stuffers including make-up bags, eye masks, make-up, brushes and more.

English Cottage Collection: This darling shop on W. Meeker St. has different items every time I stop in. Filled with home decor, baby and gift items, this store has something for everyone in every price range.

American Charm: American Charm, also on W. Meeker, has a wide variety of fun, trendy and eclectic gift items, including home decor, children’s gifts, stuffed animals, purses, jewelry and more. You’ll love this shop’s American charm.

Children’s Bookshop: I love this lively children’s book store which is full of great books, learning tools, games, toys, teaching supplies and more. Find the ideal gift for the child or teacher in your life.

Renaissance Yarns: Now at Kent Station next to Dave’s MiniHobby Shop, Renaissance Yarns has a beautiful selection of yarns, patterns, knitting tools and other gift items for the creative one on your list. Not sure what to buy? Ask Nancy or her helpful staff to make some suggestions.

Just the Thing: For the fashionista in your family, check out Just the Thing at Kent Station. This charming boutique specializes in custom jean fittings. Buy a gift certificate so your fashionable friend can pick out her favorite jeans.

Marie Haggin Accessories: Now next to Chico’s at Kent Station, Marie Haggin Accessories has hundreds of gift ideas including unique purses, handmade jewelry, wedding crystal, fashion accessories and more. You’ll never find the same thing twice.

Peridot Nail Salon: Tired from your holiday shopping? Stop by Peridot at Kent Station and enjoy a manicure or pedicure. Afterward, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for your next holiday task.

Topaz: If you’ve got trendy, young shoppers to buy for, visit Topaz, next to Road Runner at Kent Station. This new fashion boutique has great, affordable pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Kent.

Other possibilities for last minute gifts include: Bella home & garden, City Frame, Discovery Shop, Goju Karate & Pilates, Salon Avoni, Howell’s Religious Books, Distinctive Images Barber Shop and Styling Salon, NW Electrology & Permanent Makeup, Nature’s Vignettes and more. To learn more about these businesses, visit Kent Downtown Partnership or Kent Station online.

If you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, try one of downtown Kent’s many restaurants for lunch, dinner, coffee or a cocktail:

Wild Wheat Bakery & Cafe, Kona Kai Coffee, Spiro’s Greek Island Restaurant, Shindig Martini Bar, Bittersweet, Maggie’s on Meeker, Vibe Bar and Grill, Bev’s Cucina, Pat’s Bar & Grill, Zephyr, Zao Noodle Bar, Johnny Rockets, Pizzeria Fondi, Duke’s Chowder House, Chipotle Mexican Grill, The Ram, Dillettante Mocha and Espresso, Jamba Juice and more.

Happy Holidays,

Dana Blozis
Virtually Yourz

If you haven’t checked out downtown Kent lately, you are missing out on some great businesses as well as some wonderful dining and shopping options. Check out the latest list of local businesses, in the heart of downtown Kent:

Earthworks Gem Design Studio
Bella home and garden
City Frame
Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts
Vibe Bar & Grill
Cypriana
Wild Wheat Bakery & Cafe
Spiro’s Greek Island Restaurant
Shindig Martini Bar
The Balanced Athlete
Discovery Shop
Bittersweet Restaurant
Goju Karate and Pilates
Salon Avoni
Howell’s Religious Books
Distinctive Images Barber Shop & Styling Salon
NW Electrology & Permanent Make-up
Perk Up Place
Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage

This weekend the historic district and businesses on Meeker Street are celebrating with their annual Holiday Open House. Visit www.kentdowntown.org for details.

This week I attended the Grand Opening of Cypriana on First Avenue South in downtown Kent. It was a fun celebration with tasty treats and some wonderful products and services. Owner Susan Thomas makes custom slipcovers and bedding. I perused the fabrics (natural, organic and “regular”) and she has some beautiful selections. After seeing samples of her work, I can see why her slipcovers and bedding are so in demand. She has a great eye for style and a wonderful attention to detail.

She also has added some new products since first opening a month ago. With friends and family having babies this fall, I was particularly impressed with the natural and organic baby lines she carries. The items are a little pricier than traditional baby clothes, toiletries and diapers, but the quality and the fact that everything is organic is SO worth it. In addition to buying a luscious chocolate brown Dreamsacks throw for my family room, I picked up the cutest bib and “baby sack” for my step-daughter’s newest arrival.

If you haven’t stopped by Cypriana yet, please give it a try. You’ll find some lovely things for your home as well as great gifts for friends and family.

There is a lot going on in downtown Kent this fall. Among the many events are:

Cypriana’s Grand Opening – 10/17/08 (4 to 7 p.m.) and 10/18/08 (1 to 4 p.m.)
PICC “Little Pumpkins” Halloween – 10/31/08 (2 to 5 p.m.)
Election Results Open House at Earthworks Gem Design Studio – 11/04/08
23rd Annual Holiday Open House – 11/14, 11/15 & 11/16 (times vary)

If you haven’t already made plans for tomorrow night, check out the First Avenue Block Party in downtown Kent. On First Avenue South between Gowe and Titus Streets, merchants and artists are setting up booths for selling their wares, local restaurants are offering drink and meal specials, Earthworks Gem Design will display the beautiful work of several artists, and new store Cypriana will open its doors. Check out the gourmet snacks at Bella home & garden, enjoy a glass of wine from the wine garden, and stick around for the live music! It’s the fourth year for the block party and it sounds like a fun neighborhood event. See you there!

First Avenue South is about to get a new tenant – Cypriana, a natural home store featuring organic bedding and home bath items, custom made home decor (slipcovers, duvets, etc.), baby items and more. I just met Susan Thomas, the owner, yesterday and she is very excited about her new shop. She said there is such a need for one location where people can buy organic products, and she promises her store will feature mostly organic items! Cypriana is tentatively planned to open the week of September 9th, and Susan plans to participate in the First Avenue Block Party on Friday, September 12th. More details coming soon!