‘Simple Charm’ says it all at this retail shop

By: Kathy Witt

Arianna Tirlea’s shop lives up to its name: Simple Charm.

Here is the place shoppers can come to when they need that tried and true item . . . the lights for the mantle or Christmas tree, a Candleberry candle, a flag for the garden, that really great sign with its humorous saying or message of inspiration.

It’s also the place shoppers can visit when seeking the unique, those little treasures not found anywhere else . . . funky handmade pieces so perfect for gifts or the home, vintage pieces that are simply too cool for words and so much more.

“I delight in helping others catch their own creative vision,” said Arianna. “People know what they like – they just may not know how to pull it together. I love showing them how.

“I love dispelling the idea that in order to have a style you must match someone else’s,” she continued. “The fact is there is something quite beautiful in a person claiming their own personal style, creating their own joyful home.”

Simple Charm is a second generation, woman-owned business. It was originally opened in 1986 by Arianna’s mother-in-law, Martha Tirlea, who called it the Country Peddler Shoppe. In 2015, Martha became ill and Arianna stepped in to help. After Martha’s passing, Arianna bought the business from her father-in-law, renaming it Simple Charm to reflect the mix of unique, new, vintage and handmade items she carries for individuals, their homes and for gifting for all seasons.

For Arianna, having her shop located in downtown Georgetown adds another layer of charm.

“Georgetown has such a warm heart,” she said. “I think the key is our downtown.”

It is an atmosphere of esprit de corps, with retailers, local government and other businesses coming together to create, host and fund events that benefit the whole town and attract not only locals but people far and wide.

“When we all pull together for these events, it is a beautiful thing,” Arianna said. “Our downtown is a perfect center for this. It is quaint yet vibrant, homegrown yet welcoming – and local yet in every store retailers strive to bring the world in unique ways without the taint of box store-boring.”

Simple Charm has implemented many healthy changes (and plans for some to last beyond Covid-19). These include visible signage explaining policies on social distancing, masks, number of guests inside the shop at a given time, etc.; widened aisles for ease of social distancing; requiring masks; putting a limit on the number of guests; hand sanitizer stations by the desk and the door; and high touch surface cleaning on a regular basis throughout the day.

Still, Arianna understands there are those who simply who choose to stay home in this moment or cannot get out in crowds and need shopping options.

“No worries!” she says. “We offer in-store shopping with lower capacity, private shopping, curbside pick-up and shipping.”

For up-to-date information about this unique boutique and its inventory, visit Simple Charm’s Facebook page or call 502-863-4116. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Georgetown has lots of shops like Simple Charm that currently offer shopping by appointment, special shopping times with reduced capacity, curbside pickup and other options. See an updated list here.

Six Simple Charm stocking stuffers:

1. Gourmet local jams, cheeseball mixes and other yummies, like a Wind and Willow Mix – $5.75.
2. Candleberry anything. Sprays – $8.99 (shown); large candles - $24.99; small candles - $13.99; wax melters - $7.99; car fragrance – $2.25.
3. Key Chain, offered in a variety of designs, patterns and sayings, like “Be Kind” – $12.
4. A pretty ornament – $5-$10.
5. Doormat that captures the humor of the holidays – $15.99.
6. Small inspirational or funny sign – $2-$7.99.