For a long time after Faxon Home and Garden closed, the owner looked for a new location.
Finally, Alan Brooks found a spot in TJ Maxx plaza, 110 Eck Circle, to open the store in October under the name Faxon Home Store since he wanted to focus on a home decor center.
The location is a positive one for his business because of the foot traffic the area gets from people visiting other stores in the area before noticing his.
As the Fourth of July approaches, Brooks has a display of Americana decorations near the front of the store. Moving further back are beach items, furniture, candles and other different pieces.
Even after the patriotic season ends, some people like to keep the decorations up yearround.
"The beach, pools and nautical-themed items are big this year," Brooks said. "It sells out."
The decorative pieces change to reflect upcoming seasons and holidays.
Crossroads candles also feature different seasons. One of the best sellers is the buttered maple syrup candle.
"It smells like breakfast in the morning," Brooks said.
Furniture is new to the store, but growing in size. Living room, dining room and bedroom sets soon will be available.
Because of the store's small size, Brooks said he wants to feature a set style and then show the different colors available.
The prices will be "very economical," he said. "With the store, all of the prices are down to the bare minimum."
Instead of marking down the higher prices during sales, he wants to have low prices all of the time. He puts some seasonal items on sale after the season finishes.
Some of the decoration items are what he described as "primitive country," but the styles vary to suit a variety of tastes.
The items can decorate any room, Brooks said.
"A handful" of local people also make some of the items in the store. In the future, he would like to have more local pieces for sale.
Around August, he plans to open a second location at the mall, which will focus more on furniture items.
Also in the future, Brooks wants to have more events to draw in customers, such as a "VIP Day" for existing customers and a cookout.
Chamber of Commerce members will qualify for a 15 percent discount if they can show proof of their membership. He also is open to putting events together with other chamber members to help both companies and the local economy.
"I'm very local based," Brooks said. "Born and raised in Lycoming County."
One of the hardest problems he has faced in relocating is people not being able to find him, despite the three large signs outside the building.
People still often think of the building as the old Book Nook or a previous tax building even though it had been closed for five years before he opened his store.
Because it had been closed for so long, people are used to driving by. With McDonald's recent renovations, the drive-through goes in front of the building, giving the store "good exposure."
