Annie Bates was a caregiver to her husband — a veteran with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia — for nine years.
As a form of relaxation, Bates created jewelry in her studio. When her husband died in December 2022, she “needed a new baby,” and parlayed her creative passions into Simply D’Vine.
The home goods and interior design store launched a soft opening on Sept. 1 and is a must-visit destination for those looking for their own home design pieces.
The store will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 14, and an invite-only grand opening celebration on Saturday, Oct. 7. Simply D’Vine is located at 37555 N. Hum Road; the business hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Simply D’Vine has much to offer, from furniture and glassware to self-care products and handmade jewelry.
The store sells a mix of modern contemporary and vintage and antique “treasures,” as Bates likes to call them. Guests can find staple furniture like love seats, dining tables, chests, mirrors and lamps as well as more decorative items like artwork, early Dickens books, vintage glassware sets and vases and even small flower arrangements that Bates creates.
Simply D’Vine is filled with various lounge, dressing and dining space layouts designed by Bates to inspire guests.
Additionally, to encourage men to visit, Bates designed an area for them with a selection of men’s skin care.
A case at the front of the store displays Bates’ jewelry, as well as high-end pieces from likes of Julie Vos.
Before Simply D’Vine, Bates was an interior designer, jewelry artist and antique collector for many years. She started creating jewelry in 2010, and her creations are made with broaches, 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, an antique 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 ever have a boring feel,” she said. “I want people to come in and go, ‘Woah it looks really different,’ and so I’m going to change it up and keep it exciting.”
Bates said her mission at Simply D’Vine is to delight every person who comes in with exciting things they can purchase for themselves or as gifts. She said she, too, hopes to make new friends, get to know her clientele on a first-name basis and feel satisfied with her hard work.
Bates has already garnered the support of other business owners, who are now friends. They include Dawn Lizanich of A Curated Touch; Darlene Richert of Avery Lane; and Amanda Baldwin of Stevans.
They have shared a wealth of knowledge and helpful tips with Bates when she came into the business.
“It humbles me that their experience that was so hard-earned, they shared so much of that with me …” Bates said. “It’s the building of relationships and that’s what I think has been a real good head start for my business.”
Women supporting other women to succeed is important to Bates, and she is carrying on that positive impact with a private hat event. She is designing three large, themed hats and all proceeds will go to a women’s charity.
“When they come in, I hope they will be blessed by a friendly and engaging experience that will delight their senses, and that they will leave feeling uplifted,” Bates said.
