Denizen: Inhabiting a Place in our Hearts
Denizen is tucked away on Poplar Ave, across from the small, white church building that used to house the Severns Valley Baptist Church in the 1800s. On sunny days the store is flooded with natural light from their front windows that perfectly illuminates their carefully curated home goods. The store has a light and airy aesthetic and everyone who walks in is warmly greeted by either Catherine or Olivia (maybe both if your lucky), the two sisters who own this little treasure.
You get an immediate sense that their personal style is infused into every corner of their shop and that they seem to belong in the store as much as any of their products. Olivia Guandique and Catherine Greenwell are a seemingly perfect blend of confidence, warmth, and generosity and that is conveyed to every customer who enters their doors.
When asked about the challenges of running a business as sisters Catherine answers with slight laughter, “We gravitate towards similar things, but never the same. We are both so different.” Catherine the younger sister, is more conservative and “by the book”, than the older more creative Olivia, who self admittedly “goes against the current.” But you can tell that the siblings appreciate and respect the unique gifts that the other brings which has undoubtedly played into their success as a business.
Owners of Denizen above, Olivia (left) and Catherine (right) Photo by: Brianna Bird Photography find her at http://www.briannabirdphoto.com/
Growing up here in Etown, daughters of a local landscaper who owns his own business; they were able to see first hand the life that owning your own business can give you. They watched their father navigate the risks and challenges of running his company, so opening Denizen didn’t frighten the sisters at all. They opened the store in October of 2017 and haven’t looked back. Olivia, left her job at a furniture company immediately and was running the shop day to day the first 6 months and Catherine was able to leave her job at the Louisville Chamber of Commerce to work at the shop full time.
Denizen has hit a unique niche for curated home goods and fine gifts here in Hardin County. It is the shop to go to for that special gift you need, or that accessory you have been looking for to add that final touch to your home. Denizen, which means an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place, is a place you can feel apart of; one immediately feels rooted and connected when entering and experiencing what the sisters have so carefully put in place.
As their customer base has grown, so has their circle of friends. Customers routinely just stop in to sit and talk with the owners, and there are others who come by for a piece of solace when having a bad day.
One thing we love about these two is their own love for our city. They desire to see their hometown thrive and continue to offer excellent local businesses and experiences for the people of Hardin County. They are excited about the renovation occurring downtown, and we think they are playing a key role in adding to the beauty of our hometown.
You can join them on October 6 as they celebrate their one year anniversary!
Find them at:
Address:
109 West Poplar St, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Or on the web:
Facebook: facebook.com/denizenelizabethtown/
Instagram: instagram.com/shopdenizen/
Website URL: shopdenizen.com