More News

It's been said that good things come to those who wait. If so, Sherri Johnson has something to look forward to.

Johnson has been waiting for more than a year to reopen her home furnishings store on South Main Street. By late October, Retro-Metro will no longer make its home in one of the temporary trailer-based stores in the Railyard, but at 116 S. Main St.

The story of the blaze that consumed downtown stores in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2007, is well-known. What followed says a good deal about the community.

Johnson, who opened Retro-Metro in September 2005, was touched by the concern and support she received from a variety of people in Mount Airy after the fire burned out her business and seven others.

"I had children giving me their allowance. People were having yard sales and trying to give us the money," Johnson said.

Johnson, who owns and operates two Retro-Metro stores, in Mount Airy and Frederick, says that if it hadn't been for the support and affection of her customers, she would have considered re-opening Retro-Metro in an entirely different location. It would have made the last year easier and less hectic.

Johnson has had to move, open or reopen a Retro-Metro store three times in the last year: she opened Retro-Metro Frederick in October 2007, only a month after the Mount Airy fire. In Mount Airy, she had to move out of the original Retro-Metro after the fire, reopen in the Railyard, and then move out of the Railyard into the new South Main Street location.

Johnson traces the support and loyalty of her customers to the timing and circumstances of the downtown revival in Mount Airy, which began about three years ago.

"Once the flow got going, the folks in town, without even consciously realizing it, began to rely on what was happening down here, instead of having to go out of town to shop for a birthday present," she said of the downtown revival.

The loyalty and interest of her customers enticed her to return to South Main Street.

"That is what made me to work so hard to get back open again."

Town leaders are grateful that Johnson made the effort to reopen the store, to help fuel this second downtown revival.

"We are particularly pleased that they decided to stay in Mount Airy even after the fire," said Mayor Frank Johnson, who is no relation to Sherri Johnson.

Fellow store owners benefit, too.

"Everyone's definitely excited. We all feed off of each other. Her customers shop at my store, my customers shop at her store. We all can't wait to get into the new buildings," said Stephanie Scranton, owner of Do Or Dye Hair Salon, which plans to reopen on Old Main Street early next month.

When customers return to the new Retro-Metro location in Mount Airy, just a few feet down the street from the old store, they will be able to peruse the same selection of furniture, home furnishings, toys and knick knacks, in styles ranging from contemporary to transitional.

Customers come for the furniture lines such as Calligaris, Sitcom, Euro-style and Nuevo Living. They also come for the store's relaxed atmosphere.

"Because we offer such an interesting mix of items, when you come in the store it's like an experience," Johnson said. "You can meander around, find things that make you laugh."

The new décor, as with the old store, will feel like a New York City loft, with hardwood floors, high ceilings and lots of open space, she said.

With 1,950 square feet, the new location is larger than the old South Main Street Store, with niches of products, whereas the old store featured a wide-open layout.

"It's going to be gorgeous," Johnson said.

And the good feelings she has gotten from the community — including those children who offered their allowance after the fire — have had a big impact. Not only is Johnson reopening Retro-Metro, she plans to open a second furniture store next month.

The new store, The Hive, will carry more traditional furniture than Retro-Metro, but will also feature the same eclectic selection of products as Retro-Metro.

"We are going to be mixing it up with gifts and books and jewelry and hand bugs and bath products candles and other goodies," Johnson said. "If you are not looking for furniture you would still come in the store."