River House Emporium has new owners
River House Emporium will host a grand reopening celebration on May 1 at 11 a.m.
{Davidson Local/Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart}
The new owners of River House Emporium, an antique and home décor store at 23 S. Main St. in Lexington, will celebrate its grand reopening at the shop at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1.
Robbie and Martie Beasley recently purchased the business from Rick and Elisa Stewart, who founded the shop four years ago at the corner of S. Main St. and W. Second Ave. The Stewarts relocated it to the corner of S. Main St. and E. First Ave. in 2018.
Robbie Beasley, a mail carrier who has worked in the uptown Lexington district for several years, said he and his wife began talking about buying the business several months ago when Elisa Stewart told him they needed more time for other responsibilities.
“Both of us have had a lifelong dream of having our own business and working together,” Beasley shared. “We’re very, very excited about it.”
Beasley said customers can expect many of the same vendors to keep their booths in the shop, which carries a wide variety of antique and farmhouse-style home décor and accessories. In fact, the Stewarts will have a booth themselves and Elisa will work a day or two a week during the ownership transition.
“Why change a good thing?” Beasley queried. “It’s an established business that’s done well, even through Covid. That just shows you how good a store owner Elisa has been.”
Since Robbie and Martie have full-time jobs, their daughter, Caroline Beasley, will also be working in the store.
Beasley said he will eventually display some of the furniture he has been refurbishing in his garage as a hobby. He admits he enjoys finding unique pieces, refinishing and painting them for new uses.
The Beasleys’ do plan to add a display in the back of the store with lake and beach home décor. With Lexington’s proximity to High Rock Lake and many residents having second homes at the beach, the proprietors believe there is a market for such products.
Soon after the reopening, Beasley said they plan to add business hours on Tuesdays, in addition to the current Wednesday through Saturday schedule.
Beasley noted he and his wife are lifelong Lexington residents and he looks forward to becoming part of the uptown Lexington community.
“We’re in one of the best locations uptown and I really love that small-town feeling you have here,” he said. “Lexington is blessed.”
