By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Caroline and Fred Quick are the new owners of Ceola Ruth’s French Farmhouse on Auburn Boulevard, located near Twin Oaks Avenue in Citrus Heights.
The couple bought the business of Cottage Vintique, which had sold one-of-a-kind French décor items in December and re-opened two months ago. Caroline had been a regular customer for three years, and when the owner decided to sell her store due to health concerns, the husband and wife team, decided to buy it.
“We were longtime friends, and when she mentioned that she was thinking of selling, I wasn’t yet sure whether I was ready to buy,” she said.
“I stopped by this store on my way to a medical appointment at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville,” she said. “I’ve always liked decorating as a hobby, and my husband Fred suggested we return to the store to talk to the owner.”
In time, it became both therapeutic for me and a learning experience, deciding to open a business of my own for the very first time.”
“Why don’t you buy it, her husband pressed her.” “Just tell her you’re interested.”
“We took ownership of the store at the end of December and my husband and I spent some time repainting and wallpapering the front portion of the store,” she said. They applied for a business resale license from the City of Citrus Heights and opened in April.
Ceola Ruth’s French Farmhouse is named after Caroline’s mother who passed away from a stroke last year.
Many of the store’s former customers have returned to see what Caroline has done to the store and view the new merchandise she’s added. The pair plan a larger secondary showroom in the back of the store to be opened soon, where larger, freshly refreshed country-style furniture will be featured, she said.
Cottage décor pillows, women’s novelty vests, bridal décor, children’s inspired vintage up-recycled clothing, chalk paint, vintage inspired jewelry, farmhouse décor, ladies’ handbags and purses, and flea market finds are some of the treasures first-time shoppers will find.
While much of the store’s inventory came from its previous owner, both Caroline and Fred had plenty of furniture and French décor items they knew would be a great addition to their inventory. Much of their stock is hand-painted by the Quick’s using chalk paints.
Caroline Quick also hasn’t stepped away from her career as director of housing for the Greater Sacramento Urban League to run the store full-time.
“Sacramento was very hard hit by the housing downturn, and many people lost their homes to foreclosure,” she said. “I enjoy helping families to purchase their first new home and those who were hard-hit by the recent crisis to keep theirs.” “It’s still a very rewarding career I haven’t fully stepped away from.”
She gives recognition to two very special women who hold a special place in her heart and which inspire her creativity today.
“My mother was always a very well-dressed woman. She had a very large collection of dress white gloves and purses which I now have.”
“When I was a small child, I also had a great aunt GG who was always sewing clothing and making beautiful quilts.”
“I was so intrigued by how different each item would soon be, and I would think ‘if only those items could talk, what stories they’d have to tell.’”
“GG was very patient as she taught me to sew, and always gently coaching and guiding me. Much like my Aunt GG had done years earlier when making those quilts from the recycled clothing of family, I’ve chosen to do so with my mother’s gloves.”
Quick’s line of vintage inspired clothing for women, girls and boys, as well as a line of vintage inspired purses all featuring her signature “C-Lynn Glove,” which she has since trademarked.
“I would say best of all, when I now remember my mother, and her love of beautiful fashion, and her classiness complete with those white dress gloves she often wore, I do so with a smile and not sadness,” Quick said.
“I give her and my Aunt GG homage in our store’s name for those inspirations and gifts, and I’m happy that I can share that with our customers who stop by Ceola-Ruth’s French Farmhouse for the first time.”
Quick also offers her services as a “budget-conscious” personal director. It’s another activity she’s quite passionate about, and gladly helps with room designs, furniture re-designs, online decorating services and home staging for resale.
Ceola Ruth’s French Farmhouse is located at 8300 Auburn Blvd. and is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A complete online catalog is featured at www.ceolaruth.com
