“Kindness Matters” isn’t just something written on a sign in Mary Everhart’s store.
While the walls of Inspirations are lined with gift ideas, home décor and antiques for the community to purchase, owner Everhart has been committed to personalized service in Mahomet for over 20 years.
“I think when people go shopping, they are so busy,” Everhart said. “I like them to come in here, have a good time, relax, and when they leave, they feel like they are part of our family. I don’t know what they’ve gone through before they get here, but I hope they have a bit of cheer and warmth when they leave.”
Everhart offers decorating advice both in store and at a client’s home. She encourages customers to bring in photos from home so she can help them pick pieces which will create a balance of textures, colors and materials to suit their tastes.
When a customer brings in a container or plate from home, Everhart can create an arrangement or vignette to compliment the piece.
“We’ll work with it until you’re happy with how it looks,” she said. “I work with what you have.”
When hired for an in-home consultation, Everhart takes an inventory of what the client has or needs before offering decorating advice.
“I can say you need something this size, this shape, and help create a shopping list for you,” she said. “Some people get overwhelmed when they go into a furniture store or when they are collecting antiques. I can give you a shopping list to help your attention.”
Everhart said sometimes just moving furniture around makes everything feel new again.
“When she comes to your home, she’s not always trying to sell you something,” said Pat Moehring, who has been with Everhart for 16 years. “She’s trying to take what you have and enhance the way everything looks. It’s just incredible what she can take and redo.”
The Inspirations staff also works with customers to create a wish list for birthdays, anniversaries or weddings.
Inspirations is currently stocked with holiday home décor and gift ideas. Everhart believes the creamy chicken and wild rice soup is an easy gourmet-style meal which is easy for anyone to prepare. She also has American-made socks from recycled sweaters, a popular pumpkin vanilla candle and scarves.
When Everhart goes to market to buy for the entire year in Jan., she wants to stock the store with fabric, wood, pottery, glass and metal which will add warmth to any home.
After moving back to Mahomet from Florida, Everhart started Inspirations with her love for antiques. She quickly learned she needed to broaden store’s selection in order to survive.
“The antiques seem warm and cozy to me,” she said. “I like to mix textures in my own home. But my own home is 95 percent antiques. I don’t think antiques are for everyone. It’s more important to have things you like, and consider the quality of what you are getting because a lot of them are an investment.”
Everhart believes by helping her clients from making mistakes, she also helps them save money.
“We like to be family-oriented.,” she said. “I’ve been here long enough, I’ve seen kids grow up and get married. It’s nice to have known the families, and watch people’s needs change. They start out with a small hose, move into a larger house, and then back into a small house.”
As a Main Street staple, the Inspirations’ staff welcomes Mahomet newcomers with local shopping and community advice. Please join the Small Business Association in remembering local businesses on Small Business Saturday Nov. 30. By supporting local small business, you are investing in your community.
