Annie Bates has been a caregiver for her husband, a veteran with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, for nine years.
As a form of relaxation, Bates creates jewelry in her studio. When her husband died in December 2022, she “needed a new baby,” and parlayed her creative passion into Simply D’Vine.
The home goods and interior design store launched a soft opening on September 1, and is a must-visit destination for those looking for their own home design pieces.
The store will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 14, and an invitation-only grand opening celebration on Saturday, October 7. Simply D’Vine is located at 37555 N. Hum Road; Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Simply De Fine has a lot to offer, from furniture and glassware to self-care products and handcrafted jewelry.
The store sells a mix of modern, contemporary, vintage and antique “treasures,” as Bates likes to call them. Guests can find basic furniture such as love seats, dining tables, chests, mirrors and lamps as well as more decorative items such as artwork, early Dickens books, antique glassware collections, vases and even small flower arrangements created by Bates.
Simply D’Vine is filled with different lounge, dressing and dining spaces designed by Bates to inspire guests.
Additionally, to encourage men to visit, Bates has designed an area for them featuring a selection of men’s skin care products.
One of the boxes at the front of the store displays Bates jewelry, as well as high-end pieces from the likes of Julie Vos.
Before Simply D’Vine, Bates was an interior designer, jewelry artist, and antiques collector for many years. She started making jewelry in 2010, and makes her creations using pins, clips, buttons, and beads she finds at trade shows.
“I just decided, I’ve been an interior designer, I’ve been a jewelry artist for a long time, I’m a collector, and I just thought, ‘It’s time for me to try and see what I can create.'” Bates said.
She said many of the items she sells are one-of-a-kind.
“I don’t want the store to be boring at all,” she said. “I want people to come in and go, ‘Wow, this looks really different,’ so I’m going to change it up and keep it exciting.”
Bates said her mission at Simply D’Vine is to delight everyone who brings in exciting things they can buy for themselves or as gifts. She said she also hopes to make new friends, get to know her clients on a first-name basis and feel good about her hard work.
Bates has already gained the support of other business owners, who are now friends. They include Dawn Lizanich of A Curated Touch; Darlene Richer of Avery Lane; and Amanda Baldwin of Stephens.
They shared a wealth of knowledge and helpful advice with Bates as she entered the business.
“I am humbled that they have had their hard-earned experience, much of it shared with me…,” Bates said. “It’s building relationships, and that’s what I think has been a good start to my business.”
Women supporting other women to succeed is important to Bates, and she is continuing that positive impact through a special hat event. She is designing three themed large hats and all proceeds will go to a women’s charity.
“When they come in, I hope they have a friendly, engaging experience that will delight their senses, and that they leave feeling great,” Bates said.