Vacaville Supports Vacaville Campaign

"Before"

Back in the days when the Vacaville Reporter was only delivered on Thursdays, and Mr. Wykoff delivered milk, and occasionally fresh-picked blackberries, directly to your door Marylou and Jack Amphlett moved to town.

It was 1958. All the phone numbers in town started with “HICKORY 8” and many of the downtown streets still had their namesake families living on them. Everybody knew everybody.

Neighbors helped neighbors. And “downtown” was like an extended family where merchants and shoppers supported one another.

In the light of the current economic times, it is time to get back to that “old town friendliness” in order to keep Vacaville’s merchants alive and well.

Cozy Chic Designers, Janet Davison and Jen Griswold, are always looking for creative ways to combine their passion for interior design with helping the community. This summer, they have partnered with Amphlett’s Decorating to kickoff a “Vacaville Supports Vacaville” campaign by incorporating local vendors’ wares and goods in Amphlett’s storefront on the corner of Main St. and Dobbins.

Owner, Stephen Amphlett, is excited to be able to use his store’s prime location to help boost the downtown economy. He reminisces about when his parents, Jack and Mary Lou Amphlett, moved to Vacaville in 1958 and opened the flooring and window covering business at its current location. Amphlett says “Vacaville was the kind of place where ‘community spirit’ thrived. The streets were safe to ride bikes on, and kids stayed outside all day. Nobody caused much trouble because someone would always keep an eye on you.” Amplett is excited to take part in a revitalization of the “old ways!”

To kick off the first display in Amplett’s window, Cozy Chic Design called upon several of their regular vendors to participate in the “Vacaville Supports Vacaville” campaign. The first step involved rebuilding Amplett’s storefront wall. Cozy Chic called upon Vacville general contractor and custom home builder, Dan Rehm, of Rehm & Co. Rehm didn’t hesitate to volunteer labor and materials to construct a brand new wall for the design backdrop. Dan has a reputation as someone who makes himself personally available to give free estimates in a timely fashion. He does absolutely beautiful work and is hands down one of Cozy Chic’s “choice vendors!” Dan has donated his skilled labor to other community service projects led by Cozy Chic Design and did not hesitate to help out again!

Pier One Imports is also a fervent supporter of the Vacaville area. Store manager, Tracy Snow, says she is “excited about keeping Vacaville shoppers in Vacaville.” Although her store, which is located in Vacaville Commons next to Safeway and Target, may not physically exist in downtown Vacaville, when you walk through the doors of Pier One you are immediately greeted with a distinct feeling of “downtown friendliness.” Pier One was generous enough to contribute all artwork, foliage, furniture and accessory décor to the current Amphlett’s display. Cozy Chic thanks Tracy and her team for their support on this and past collaborative projects—we are grateful for the example you are to the community!

Everyone knows that a “fireplace is the heart of the home.” Such is the tagline for the Gallery of Fireplaces, Vacaville’s downtown showroom for a variety of indoor and outdoor fireplaces, mantels, and coordinating accessories. Owner, Dennis Gregerson, was more than happy to let Cozy Chic have a pick of their outdoor fireplaces to use in the storefront. And if anyone’s shop exudes “downtown friendliness” it is Gregerson’s. Between the “home-on-the-corner” location, glowing fireplaces, friendly staff and permanent model, 3-yr-old husky, Sadie, the ambiance can hardly be beat! Anyone who has not stopped in should make it a point to come by to drink in the atmosphere.

Finally, we cannot forget to mention Wendy Z Photography for donating her time and efforts to take beautiful photographs of this project in motion. Wendy Zippwald, owner and photographer extraordinaire, has helped Cozy Chic document milestones on numerous occasions and did a wonderful job again this time! Wendy Z. Photography can meet any of your photography needs. Wendy strives to bring clients high-quality images in a casual and affordable way. She does Family, Newborn, Senior Portrait, Preschool and Wedding Sessions. She puts motherly love into each photograph and has a beautiful eye for those special moments!

Thank you to all the participants for a wonderful kickoff to our high hopes for a revitalized “hometown” feel for downtown Vacaville where everyone helps support one another. At Cozy Chic Design, Jen and Janet believe in the idea that business owners should, “love your job so much that you’d do it for free, and do it so well that you get paid for it.” We hope that you will remember those words and join us in participating to help “Vacaville Support Vacaville!”

**Stay tuned next week for the "After" pictures!
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Cozy Chic Design is owned and operated by Jen Griswold and Janet Davison. Their company specializes in interior redesign and home staging in Solano and Yolo Counties. Amphlett’s and Cozy Chic Design will completely change the window design on a quarterly basis to create a different look for each of the seasons. Anyone interested in participating in the project should contact Cozy Chic Design at either 707-455-8265 or 707-447-0977.