Carriage Trade to close after 43 years

ALBANY, Ga. — Powered by a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren and flavored with a dose of the down economy, Phyllis Curry is closing The Carriage Trade.

Curry plans a 6 1/2 week “retirement sale” of everything she has in her current inventory, then it’s time to relax a little, she said.

For 43 years the upscale shop has provided fine furniture, wall art, decorative accessories, collectibles and more. Originally on the corner of Society and Slappey Boulevard, The Carriage Trade was created by plantation owners, Charles Elm and his wife, from “up north,” Curry said, who sold it a few years later.

Curry purchased the business in 1987 and later relocated to its current address at 2206-C Dawson Road. While retirement is the driving reason for the closure, she said, Curry acknowledges that changes have caught up with her long-term market.

“Buying trends of the public are a little different today,” Curry said. “We used to sell a lot of the English antiques. They’re not as desirable today. I think discount stores, “big box” stores” and the Internet have all come into play. The big picture is just a lot different.”

During the sale, which begins today, Curry’s newest inventory will be priced at 20 percent off, she said, with other merchandise grouped at 50 percent and 75 percent discounts.

“It’s all current inventory,” Curry said. “My Christmas merchandise is just out of the box. We usually do a good Christmas decoration business.”