Growing up in Claremore, downtown looked fairly different than it does today. My mom had a photography studio in the Mason Hotel building. The Will Rogers Hotel did a booming lunch business. (Thirty years later, I still remember the odd smell that lingered in the lobby.)
JC Penney lived where The Cranberry Merchant resides today. On one corner stood Milner’s Office Supply, which was my favorite spot downtown. I’ve always had a fascination with new office supplies (I even worked at Staples in college), and the fabulously squeaky wooden floor and the spectacular Santa that stood in the front window each Christmas made Milner’s one of the greatest places, in my opinion. Just east of Milner’s stood Wilson’s True Value Hardware, a two-story treasure trove of tools, nails and other bits needed to build things.
Then the businesses of yesteryear (or at least, the 1980s), began to close. Downtown wasn’t the most cheerful place for a while, and then the antique shop movement began. As a girl who’s lived here most of her life, I must admit that I didn’t spend much time downtown, as antique shopping didn’t thrill me. And I took our Main Street for granted.
Over the past couple of years, the boutiques have been opening, giving our historic downtown another facet to bring in tourists. But hey, if you’re like me and haven’t been going into these shops that have been around for ages, you probably don’t know what you’re missing. I learned this when I stopped by The Cozy Cottage.
I met the shop’s owner, Kathy Glover, several months ago when she attended moreClaremore’s free marketing workshop. I knew that she had a little store downtown, and just figured it was like all the other antique stores.
I was so wrong.
Kathy isn’t new to this gig. As so many dealers do, she started with a booth at a Jenks shop. Then on the advice of a business associate, she opened The Olde House on Cherry Street. She owned and operated that establishment for six plus years (beginning on 9/11). She later moved to 41st & Memorial. During that time, Kathy and her husband Jesse expanded the business to include home staging, often hired by builders for Tulsa’s Parade of Homes. When it came time to move again, this time to London Square at 61st and Lewis, she changed the name of the shop to The Cozy Cottage, reserving This Old House for the staging side of things.
Two years ago, Kathy (who hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by way of Midwest City) and Jesse built a home in Claremore. With that, a decision was made to move The Cozy Cottage to our historic downtown.
The word that comes to mind upon entering The Cozy Cottage is, in fact, “cozy.” It smells magnificent (likely due to the Tyler candles that are available for purchase) and gives an immediate feeling of warmth and intimacy. The merchandise is an elegant mixture of classic antiques, funky finds and unique furniture. It is one of only two stand-alone home decor shops in downtown Claremore.
A large ram head hangs on the wall. A chandelier made of branches takes up a large portion of the front ceiling. A floor lamp with a purple silk shade full of fringe stands near the register. There is something to admire at every turn. The Cozy Cottage is not a typical antique shop. It’s geared more toward home decor, with a balance of the old and the new. Kathy and Jesse often hit the road, hunting for antiques along the way. For new merchandise, regular jaunts to the Dallas Market are in order. Art, jewelry, furniture and unique decor can all be found at The Cozy Cottage.
Kathy goes all out for fall, Halloween and Christmas, and participated in the United Way Holiday Boutique this year. She has quickly become an active community member, serving on the boards for Main Street, Festival of Trees, Holiday Boutique and A Chocolate, Wine & More Affair.
Kathy is excited to be in Claremore and a part of historic downtown. She enjoys the quaintness of Main Street and says everyone she’s encountered has been incredibly friendly. It’s also been fun getting to know the other Main Street merchants.
The Cozy Cottage is located at 514 W. Will Rogers and is open Wednesday 10a – 2p, Thursday and Friday 10a – 5p and Saturday 10a – 4p. The store can be reached at 918-283-2232 and be sure to follow The Cozy Cottage on Facebook!
Keep it local, Claremore.
-MCM Staffer Ashley,
who desperately needs an excuse to buy a ram’s head