Fine Things – a dream realized

Glender Francois has always had a passion for lovely things and a desire to engage in a productive enterprise that she enjoys.

That dream was realized on October 31, 2008, when she and her husband, Greg, opened Fine Things, a home décor store at Stoney Ground. Today, you can find the business along the Arnos Vale main road, just above the Public Works compound.

Step away from the flowing traffic for a moment into the welcoming atmosphere of the first floor business operation, and be dazzled by the vibrancy of colours, as musical chimes warm the heart strings.

“As Caribbean people, we are not necessarily brown and beige people, or black and white people; we are flamboyant and energetic and we try to radiate that type of feeling in the store and in our product,” Francois explains.

Elegance is the word that immediately springs to mind as one wanders along the aisles, admiring the products on display.

The selection is wide and unique – over 200 types of curtains and mats, along with rugs, linens, blankets, handbags, towels, wash rags, stuff for the wash rooms and hammocks – among other available items.

Fine Things is predominantly a soft furnishings store, and Francois is pleasantly non-committal about where she sources her products, noting however, that while the bulk of it is imported, the store also now offers some local items.

“We listen to customers, what they exactly are looking for, what is trending in the home décor industry at the moment and we try as much as possible to make sure that we are there with the needs of our customers.”

Fine Things is not just about getting a product sold; Francois and her staff of four also offer on-spot advice or make an occasional home visit to help a client decide what matches best.

“It’s really nice when someone calls you and they say ‘you know those curtains I bought today, they are the bomb’…that is what I find really gratifying, knowing people are happy with the products and the service we provide; that makes all the difference in the world.”

In the Best of SVG Awards, Fine Things was voted Best for Drapery and Soft Furnishings. “And we really appreciate that award, because our core product has to do with drapery… at Fine Things, we have a wide range of curtains, you can get things that are sheer – very light – and airy; it depends on what you want to do and what effect you are trying to create,” François points out.

Their preparations for Christmas began in February and she is promising “exciting things,” but does not want clients to wait until December to stop by and shop.

“Our tag line is ‘living lovely every day’ and we encourage people to live lovely every day in all areas of their lives; it’s so great to wake up in the morning to a space that belongs to you and you feel comfortable in it.”

Fine Things is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.