RE:
RE:, originally named Restoration Emporium, is a Kansas City-based home decor and gift shop founded in 2012 by Chrysalyn and Jeff Huff. The business began as a vintage shop in the West Bottoms before expanding to offer a broader selection of home furnishings and gifts. It has operated locations in the West Bottoms, the Country Club Plaza, and the Crossroads, before relocating to Zona Rosa in early 2023. Due to declining foot traffic, RE: announced plans to close its physical storefront at Zona Rosa and transition to a primarily online and hybrid model, emphasizing online sales, community events, and mobile floral services. The Huffs remain committed to supporting local communities and exploring new retail opportunities.
News Summary
RE:, a home decor and gift shop in Kansas City, is closing its physical store to shift towards an online-focused business model. Founded by Chrysalyn and Jeff Huff in 2012, the shop will continue to engage customers through live online sales, subscription services, and seasonal events at their farmhouse in Olathe. A closeout sale, ‘End of the Eras Tour,’ will run until the store’s closure at the end of August, offering unique merchandise and fixtures. This strategy reflects a broader trend of retail adaptation to changing consumer behaviors.
Kansas City, MO
RE:, a home decor and gift shop located in Zona Rosa, announced it will close its physical storefront later this summer as it transitions to an online-focused business model. Founded in 2012 by Chrysalyn and Jeff Huff, the shop will pivot to a hybrid approach that emphasizes online live sales, subscription offerings, and seasonal events held at their Olathe farmhouse.
Chrysalyn Huff explained that declining foot traffic at their Zona Rosa location prompted the decision for change, marking a shift toward a new chapter rather than signaling the end of RE:. The Huffs plan to keep the Zona Rosa store open until the end of August, during which time they will conduct a closeout sale dubbed the “End of the Eras Tour.” This sale will feature both merchandise and unique fixtures collected throughout the years, many of which have never been available for sale before.
Initially named Restoration Emporium, RE: started as a vintage shop in the West Bottoms area before growing to offer a wider array of home furnishings and gifts. Over the years, the shop expanded its footprint by moving to the Country Club Plaza in 2017, followed by the opening of a second location in the Crossroads in 2018. The Plaza location was eventually closed in 2022, leading to the most recent relocation to Zona Rosa at 7420 NW 87th St., formerly home to Alter’d State, in early 2023.
The change in operational strategy includes establishing an in-home studio at the Huff’s farmhouse for live sales and other video content aimed at engaging customers online. In addition to enhancing online retail efforts, the business plans to expand its mobile floral bar service, RE: Bloom.
Looking ahead, the Huffs have not dismissed the possibility of returning to physical retail in the future, perhaps in their hometown of Olathe. They believe there may be opportunities to re-enter the market in that area. As part of their community focus, Chrysalyn Huff urged customers to continue supporting local businesses, emphasizing the importance of shopping small and supporting community entrepreneurs.
This strategic reorientation comes at a time when many brick-and-mortar businesses are reevaluating their operations to adapt to changing consumer behaviors, particularly with the rise of online shopping. The Hust’s decision aligns with broader trends in retail, as businesses seek innovative ways to connect with customers and navigate economic challenges. With their focus now on an online and hybrid model, RE: aims to maintain its community presence while shifting its emphasis to digital engagement and specialty offerings.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star: Business Openings and Closings
- Wikipedia: Online retail
- Kansas City Star: More Business Updates
- Google Search: Retail Trends in Kansas City
- Fox4KC: Country Club Plaza Challenges
- Google Scholar: Retail Business Closures
- Des Moines Register: New Fareway Store
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retail
- Fox4KC: Retail Crime in Overland Park
- Google News: Retail Crime in Kansas City
