Maison Encore Home Decor Launches in Oak Park

Business: Maison Encore in Oak Park

Owner: Thomas Whelan

Founded: 2013 

Check out the Maison Encore website to learn more. 

How did the business come to be?

Maison Encore is the result of my life’s passions: shopping and beautiful objects. I recently realized I had come to a crossroads: 1) Stop shopping as I had run out of space in my home, or 2) Open a store.

I chose the latter as it would allow me to share some of  the unique items that I have found over the years, as well as allow others to have a venue to sell their items they no longer needed or had space for. 

My personal taste has always been eclectic and the store’s inventory will reflect that. I have an extensive retail/design background, having worked at Marshall Fields in Chicago for 13 years and managing various furniture showrooms in Chicago and Los Angeles.

As I started thinking of a name for my business, the word “home” kept coming to mind. As I searched the internet for names I was coming up with, it seemed they all had been taken. One of the names I landed on was “ Home Again." Unfortunately this web domain had already been used. I decided to try another language and the result was “Maison Encore” ( French for “Home Again”). Voila! My business was born!

After creating the logo, I realized the abbreviation for Maison Encore is ME. But it’s really not about ME, it’s about YOU!

Why did you choose the area you did? 

I have always loved Oak Park. I remember visiting my cousins as a child and there was something magical about the neighborhood. A real sense of community. Currently my 82-year-old father lives here and moving here is allowing me to spend more time with him. 

What does your business offer?

Affordable home decor as well as consignment for those who wish to sell their items. 

What's something interesting about your business your customers might not know?

We are only an internet based business at this time. But I'm hoping to open a physical location in the Oak Park area very shortly. 

What's your most popular product? 

Glitterized framed album covers.

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