Greentree Close is a bit of an anomaly in these economic times. While other storefronts across the city and its surroundings sport "FOR RENT" signs, the Greentree Close retail space, owned by Gay Reading and John Martin, is leased wall-to-wall, and the businesses are doing well. The property adjacent to the Opera House on Short Street houses Greentree Antiques and Tearoom, L.V. Harkness and Company, Belle Maison Antiques, and Trillium. And one of the property owners, Gay Reading, couldn't be happier with the arrangements.
"We thought, at one time, of bringing in new tenants to occupy our enlarged space - - were happy to do so - - but as soon as we started making new space available, our current tenants wanted it," Reading said. The latest addition to and adaptation of the space, opened in November of 2007, is the design work of local architect Tom Cheek.
"Tom agreed to take on the job, and designed a space that subtly combines references to the 19th century and a high end avenue presence - - a perfect Lexington commercial plan," said Reading. "His idea of green space works wonderfully. And when all was done, his planning resulted in the loss of only two parking spaces. The entire space he was working with had originally been used for parking."
An elegant rooftop garden continues his commitment to green space and "was designed to accommodate a number of uses," Reading continued. So far, the garden rooftop, landscaped by John Carloftis, has accommodated the retail, fundraising and personal events that its tenants have hosted. The elegant and efficient space encountered when one drives through the brick and gated entrance off Short Street immediately illustrates Reading's statement regarding Cheek's design and he notes that it is a perfect example of urban infill.
The original space that now houses Greentree Close's successful businesses came on the market in 1999 and Gay Reading bought it immediately. "I was, and am, committed to downtown, and it was a good investment in that," he said. "We thought of [the original house structure] as a possible site for the kitchen to serve Gingko Tree," the cafÈ at the Ashland estate that is open from April through October. On the newly purchased property was a small shop called Unfinished Universe, which sold unique hardware among other things, and a storage building which had formerly been a welding shop. Unfinished Universe closed shortly thereafter due to the health of its owners. One of the structures had been used as a flea market facility and was eventually condemned, despite hopes to save it. Years of neglect by prior owners lead to its final deterioration and destruction. But still, Greentree Antiques and Tearoom opened in the small residential-looking structure facing Short Street, and in 2001 L.V. Harkness opened its doors in a building mid-site. Moved from the basement of owner Meg Jewett's farm, L.V. Harkness offered unique and upscale tableware and crystal and brought added life to the property. Space for parking had to be leased to accommodate any visitors. These additional parcels were eventually bought as well, but it was still far from being the silk purse from a sow's ear that owners wanted it to become.
Reading willingly accredits Meg Jewett, owner of L.V. Harkness, with the inspiration for the name Greentree Close, which added momentum to the ground's improvement. "It fit perfectly, though we had a little educating to do regarding the word 'Close.' It is most commonly used to describe an enclosed area or thoroughfare around a cathedral - - like the cathedrals in Europe - - within an urban context." And then Debbie Chamblin, a French antique dealer who occasionally used the space for special event sales, "Ömoved in temporarily and has never left," commented Reading, smiling. Her space has since expanded and, with Tom Cheek's new design, now includes Trillium, a retail space that offers furniture and accessories for a more contemporary lifestyle. The expansion of L.V. Harkness' operations to include more showroom space for her ever-growing gift and tableware lines, a design center and workshop, and warehouse space for the increasing inventory, has filled every inch of the new construction.
A quarterly newsletter is now mailed to Greentree's enthusiastic customers and provides a calendar of events, menus from the Tearoom and news tidbits from the popular retail destination. The Tearoom employs five full-time, " ..and is run by two guys who always worked for others," Reading concedes with a smile. L.V. Harkness has seen its business grow exponentially in seven years. From its original two employees it now lists almost 20 on its books. And from Belle Maison's originally being open one or two weeks a year, Debbie Chamblin's shops are now open full-time and she has increased her payroll numbers as well. All the business ventures within Greentree Close cooperate on events and never cease in coming up with clever things to keep their momentum going. And plans for the future? There are those. Klismos - - named after a form of a Greek chair - - will be an open garden showcase space at the far end of Greentree Close, displaying a collection of antique furnishings with an emphasis on the Georgian and Federal periods. It will be open to decorators as soon as possible.