Repairs Finally Complete, Purple Poppy to Reopen Wednesday

It's been nine weeks - almost to the day - since the owner of the Purple Poppy Shoppe had to close her business due to a burst sewage pipe beneath the store that left her lovely shop smelling like a sewer.

"Finally, the nightmare has ended," said Patricia Preece, who has been operating the shop on Jones Street in downtown Norcross for the past three years.

The repairs to the cracked sewer pipe have been made and the large section of the 100-year-old wooden flooring that was pulled up and thrown away has been replaced by pretty pine planks that blend in nicely with the older flooring.

The shop no longer reeks of the foul odor that left people gagging as they entered the building. The smell has been replaced by freshly varnished wood. Now all that remains for Preece and Sharon Stevens, her part-time employee, is to put the shop back in order - and get the business profitable again.

"The last nine weeks have been a strain," said Preece who is widowed and says her only source of income comes from her shop. Stevens, who has been with Preece for the past three years, also has struggled to make ends meet while taking care of her husband who is unable to work. "It's been hard to be without income," she said.

For the next few days Preece and Stevens, along with several friends, will be busy  sorting out what items will be on sale, cleaning and dusting and rearranging merchandise - and preparing to order for the coming season.

"I'm planning on having a re-opening sale on July 3," said Preece who also is bringing in merchandise she had moved off site when the store was closed for repairs. "Then in early fall I'm planning on having an open house when the new merchandise comes in."

Preece, a home decorator for the past 43 years, is eager to open again to see long-time customers - many who she now calls friends - walk through her door again.

"People don't just come in, buy and leave," said Preece. "We have made good friends with our customers."

The Purple Poppy Shoppe opens on Wednesday, July 3, just in time to welcome in the crowds for the city's annual Independence Day celebration. 

The Purple Poppy Shoppe
19 Jones Street
Norcross, GA 30071
770-558-8855
Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and by appointment

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