10/12/2026
This is going to be a long and emotional post so stay with me.
I’ve always wanted to own a little art shop in downtown. That was one of my retirement plans. When I bought the shop in 2022 it was well timed for our family and it started as a family endeavor. As the kids grew up and got busier with their friends and school then eventually college they checked out of the store. Overtime John felt less and less fulfilled by working in the store. He was a hard labor guy, always had been and he felt he needed to go back to that kind of work. So the shop ended back up on my plate, an already full plate.
There’s been a lot of change in my life the last three years. Addison went off to college, my business (Small Town Soul) has grown immensely, and John and I have went our separate ways. On the personal side it’s been a lot to deal with.
I was lucky enough to find two amazing people, who I love dearly, to help. Amy has been a godsend and I could not have made it these last two years without her. Misty has been a friend and a customer for a while now and she has helped give both me and Amy some days off from the store. I wouldn’t be here today without them or without our loyal customers.
Things have changed in their lives as well and I don’t want to hold anyone back, including myself. These ladies are my soul sisters. I see them as an integral part of the Impulse Family and we made this decision together.
An opportunity has presented itself to sell the building to two people that I trust to keep the tradition going and who bring services and products to Rutherfordton that I believe in. They actually wanted the building originally but it wasn’t the right time for them then, but now I feel things have come full circle and it’s the right time for them to move forward and for me to move on. I’m very excited about what they are building.
This was not an easy decision for me as I love what I’ve built at Impulse but I need to take a step back and get my house in order. I need to get settled in my new life and there are some other areas I want to focus on.
For the last 25 years I’ve been a wife, a mother or both and I want to take some time and focus just on Leniece and her dreams.
We will be having sales between now and the end of the year. I do plan to keep the online store up for the next 6-12 months and will offer local pickup and delivery as well as shipping for those that buy online.
The physical store on Main Street in Rutherfordton will remain open through December 31. Any parties booked in the studio will continue as is through that time.
To all of you who have shopped with us and shared your stories and conversations over the last four years, I’m eternally grateful. Impulse is such a special place and I feel that every time I’m at the store.
Please come in and stock up on your favorite things between now and December. We won’t be ordering any new inventory but we will be bringing out some back stock and having a few sales before the holidays.
We will be back, I’m not giving up on my dream of owning an art shop, I just want to explore some other dreams I’ve had for a while first.
From the bottom of my heart - Thank you for your love and loyalty. ❤️
