Epic Home Decor in Lakewood Ranch enjoying early success

Diane Creasy recently opened Epic Home Decor in the San Marco Plaza with a simple business model:

“It’s Epic Home Decor without the epic price,” she said.

Her sense of style is tasteful, seemingly effortless and fun – all of which is reflected in the wall art, mirrors, table lamps, living room furniture, made-to-order draperies and more that elegantly pack the walls and showroom at her store.

Those are her stock in trade, but there are surprises, too, such as cigar humidors and elf-toe Christmas stockings.

Creasy’s decorating taste has been recognized by builders and real estate agents who have retained her to stage model homes and others that are for sale.

Creasy worked in the corporate world for three decades and previously had a successful retail store in West Bloomfield, Mich.

Her initial attraction to the West Coast of Florida was Sarasota and its arts scene, but she soon learned about Lakewood Ranch.

“I decided that since they are building 15,000 homes here in Lakewood Ranch, I needed to open another store,” Creasy said. “I just fell in love with Lakewood Ranch.”

She opened Epic Home Decor in Suite 115 at 8225 Nature’s Way on July 5.

The first week the store was open, Creasy won a contract from one of the area’s leading builders to decorate two spec homes, and she is now working on her third.

“I did really well this summer,” Creasy said of walk-in traffic at the store.

She attributes her early success to the hand-picked merchandise she sells, her price points and the location.

“It has everything I was looking for, including foot traffic and convenient parking. When you’re selling a big piece of art or furniture, it’s important to have the parking lot nearby,” Creasy said.

Fixtures in the store are Mary-Alice Creasy, Diane Creasy’s mother, who learned the retail business while owning a book store for more than 30 years, and her miniature greyhound Babette.

“I love it. We have wonderful customers,” Mary-Alice Creasy said.

Asked what it takes to be successful in retail, Mary-Alice answered: “Be honest and be good to the customers.”

The store is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed on Sunday.

For more information about Epic Home Decor, call 941-210-4713 or visit epichomedecor.com.

This story was originally published October 18, 2017 at 1:19 PM with the headline "Epic Home Decor in Lakewood Ranch enjoying early success."