By Taylor Boyd
Plantiques in Stuart is closing its doors after 25 of business.
Robert Reynolds, owner, said he felt it was time to close due to his health reasons.
“It’s too much physically and mentally on me anymore,” he said. “I’ve just enjoyed collecting stuff since I was about 10 years old. I started having yard sales when I was 16 and got the bug.”
Until three years ago, Plantiques created floral arrangements, Reynolds said, adding that he enjoyed that part of the business and “the satisfaction or look on people’s faces when we delivered flowers. In some cases, deliveries were to those who “maybe hadn’t gotten flowers before or weren’t expecting them. It made it really worthwhile,” he said.
Providing the flowers for weddings also was a joy, “and making somebody’s day special like that, Reynolds said, and added that he has mixed emotions about closing the business.
“I’ve done it for 25 years and I kind of hate to see it go. Other days when I come down here, I say it’s so much on me physically and mentally anymore that I can’t wait to see it go,” he said.
Overall, it’s not been a real easy decision, he said, “but I’ve got to take care of myself first.”
Plantiques will be open May 28 through Monday, May 31, with most items 75 percent off.
Reynolds said he plans enjoy opening the store on Saturday, June 5, but he is unsure if it will be open on Sunday, June 6.
“We may, as we clean out and regroup the stuff, open again another weekend during the summer, just to see if we can reduce the inventory more,” he said, adding the bulk of what’s left will probably be donated to a hospice resale store.
If someone were to make him an offer on the business, Reynolds said he would consider selling, but does not think it will happen in this area.
But, for anyone interested, Reynolds said he has enjoyed the time he has invested in the store.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said.
