Caroline Scheeler, owner of Caroline Shop and Interiors at 9 N. Third St., Geneva, is the new owner of 101 S. Third St., a two-story building built in 1867 that is home to Odalisque and Artemisia.
Scheeler said Artemisia will leave the company when its lease expires at the end of March. Opened in 2010, Artemisia is an artisan boutique offering women's clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes and home decor.
Odalisque, which sells makeup, fragrance and skin care products, will remain, while Scheeler will offer gift retail and apparel items. They plan to reopen in May after some interior work is completed, she said.
“When I opened my original location two years ago, I actually had no intention of expanding,” said Scheeler, a Wayne resident. “It was supposed to be a small boutique in Geneva, so to speak.”
Scheeler's Shop offers interior design, home decor and gifts.
Geneva recently awarded Goodlove LLC, Scheeler's company, $14,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The grant will support historic preservation and adaptive reuse, such as replacing floors, doors, hardware and handrails, remodeling bathrooms, upgrading kitchenettes, and upgrading smoke detectors and switches.
The estimated project cost, including acquisition, is approximately $900,000, according to officials.
Scheeler plans to restore the balcony and modernize the electrical system. Proposed exterior improvements include replacement of signage, lighting, doors, hardware and landscaping.
“I definitely have a passion for older buildings and love the history of the city – especially this building,” Scheeler said. “It is an iconic building in Geneva…It has been cared for, but over the course of its life it will need a lot more care.”
Scheeler said she will also keep her original location, 9 N. Third St., as an interior design store.
When she worked in Chicago and commuted from Wayne for 29 years, Scheeler said she rarely ventured to Geneva — until she opened a store there.
“I had the most amazing experience. I decided I wanted to grow there,” said Scheeler. “I was very happy with the community. It is so loving and supportive. We're two years old and I obviously love being in Geneva. It feels good for this time in my life.”