ASHLAND – In the span of just a few years, Ashlanders Laurel Koberstein and Elizabeth Banks have turned their hobby into a business and then grown the business enough to hire Koberstein’s sister, Alyssa Britton, and to open a brick and mortar store.
The best friends and business partners marked the store’s opening Friday with a ribbon cutting, which was hosted by Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce. They will continue celebrating throughout the weekend with a grand opening July 26-28.
Located at 112 E. Main St. in downtown Ashland, LK Home Decor specializes in modern farmhouse decor.
“We upcycle furniture, and we also custom-build farmhouse tables,” Koberstein said. “We also sell signs and other decor.”
In addition to their own creations, the business owners sell products from Ohio-based vendors. They are committed to supporting small, local businesses.
While being shopkeepers is a new experience for Koberstein, Banks and Britton, the trio have been establishing their niche and building a customer base since 2017.
“We’ve been at this for about two years,” Koberstein said. “We’ve travelled all over Ohio to markets, and now we’re able to do more in our hometown, so we’re super excited about that.”
The LK owners plan to continue attending a few key vintage markets and trade shows as well as to keep their Ashland storefront open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. They may expand their store hours in the future, based on customer demand.
Koberstein and Banks expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support they have received in recent weeks and said they are glad to be joining the downtown business scene.
Ashland Main Street Executive Director Sandra Tunnell noted the large turnout from fellow downtown business owners at Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony and compared Ashland’s downtown community to a family.
“We love having you on Main Street,” Tunnell said. “Thank you for being here and being part of our downtown.”
Tunnell also thanked and praised Koberstein and Banks for their patience and perseverance in bringing their store downtown. The business owners expressed interest in the retail space about a year ago, just as Fig & Oak was moving in, Tunnell said.
Fig & Oak recently expanded to a new location at 100 W. Main St., freeing up 112 E. Main St. for LK Home Decor.
Nancy Pauly, owner of EVA’s Treats and an ambassador of Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, presented Koberstein, Banks and Britton with commendations from Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof and the Ohio House of Representatives.
Chamber President Barbie Lange congratulated the LK team on behalf of the chamber.
“Your business has already been successful, and now it can even be more so with the visibility you’ll have here downtown,” Lange said. “We’re so excited for you. You have such beautiful pieces. Thank you for the investment you’re making in our community.”
