Town’s End General Store, a vintage and uncommon goods shop at 504 W. Main Street, will hold its grand opening Friday, March 1, 2013 during the Franklin Art Scene, 6-9 p.m. The shop’s ribbon cutting will take place at 4 p.m.
The new business, formally known as Kaleidoscope, has taken on a new persona—and it’s one that Owner Cynthia Townsend said has been conspicuously absent from Downtown Franklin.
“This area is such a special place, and contains so much history,” she said. “I’m surprised that it’s taken this long to re-establish a general store on Main Street, because I believe the two compliment one another so well.”
Townsend’s new shop will sell a mix of traditional mercantile goods, clothing and old-fashioned candies one might expect to find in a general store, as well as a variety of untraditional items that go hand-in-hand with the downtown Franklin’s thriving antique district. The blend will include everything from framed maps and 18th century trunks to a statue of a horse head made from driftwood.
The Town’s End General Store attributes its name to both the location of the store, and its similarity to Townsend’s last name. “Family is important to me, and they have been so supportive and helpful through this whole process,” Townsend said. The owner said it is her hope that the store becomes a symbol of nostalgia, and of down-home southern authenticity.
“Growing up, I would visit my grandparents, and they would always take me to the local general store. I’d browse through the treasures and pick out a special treat,” Townsend said. “Sometimes it would be just be a box of Cracker Jacks, but it was so much fun to find the prize at the bottom of the box! That’s a feeling I hope to continue for our customers.”
Townsend said she wants to compound on the appeal of Main Street by providing a fun spot for locals, as well as a place for visitors to discover uncommon souvenirs and treasures. The store will not be selling their goods online.
“We want our visitors to come shop in Franklin and enjoy the charm of our city,” Townsend said. “We hope that items people uncover at the store will be linked to fond memories of time spent in our special town. It will portray the true charm of Franklin, and remind people of the good old days.
“We really just want to give back to our special hometown.”
For more information on Town’s End General Store, visit www.facebook.com/townsendgeneralstorefranklin.
Grace Whittier, Sam Whittier, Megan Whittier, Cynthia Townsend and Chelsea McCord in the newly re-purposed West Main Street space. Cynthia’s daughters, Megan and Chelsea, have been instrumental in the re-design and operations of Town’s End General Store.