Geneva home decor owner buys historic Third Street property

Caroline Scheeler, who owns Caroline Shop and Interiors at 9 N. Third St., Geneva, is the new owner of 101 S. Third St., a two-story 1867 building where Odalisque, and Artemisia are located.

Scheeler said Artemisia will leave when the lease expires at the end of March. Artemisia, which opened in 2010, is an artisan boutique, of women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, shoes and home décor.

Odalisque, which sells makeup, fragrance and skincare products, will remain while Scheeler will offer gift shop 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 really had no intention of expanding,” Scheeler, of Wayne, said. “It was sort of to be a small little boutique in Geneva.”

Scheeler’s shop offers interior design, home decor and gifts.

Geneva recently awarded Goodlove LLC, Scheeler’s business, $14,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The grant is for historic preservation and adaptive reuse, such as replacing flooring, doors, hardware, handrails, remodeling bathrooms and upgrading the kitchenette and updating smoke detectors and switches.

The estimated project costs, including acquisition, are about $900,000, officials said.

Scheeler plans to restore the balcony and upgrade the electric. Proposed exterior enhancements include replacing signage, lighting, doors, hardware and landscaping.

“I definitely have a passion for older buildings and love the history of the town — specifically this building,” Scheeler said. “It’s an iconic building in Geneva … It’s been maintained, but it’s going to need a lot more TLC over the course of its lifetime.”

Scheeler said she will also keep her original location 9 N. Third St. as an interior home decor shop.

When she worked in Chicago for 29 years, commuting from Wayne, Scheeler said she seldom ventured to Geneva — that is, until she opened a shop there.

“I was having the most amazing experience. I decided I’d like to grow there,” Scheeler said. “I have been so pleased with the community. It’s so loving and supportive. We’re two years old and obviously I’m loving being in Geneva. It feels good for this time in my life.”