ShawneeDispatch.com

Photo by Caroline Boyer

Alyssa Aley bought Nancy's Nitch, 11209 Johnson Dr., last week.

The shop may be in one of the smallest spaces, but it's definitely one of the biggest businesses in Downtown Shawnee.

So when it came time for a new owner, it makes sense that a life-long Shawnee resident took over the reins at Nancy's Nitch, 11209 Johnson Dr. Alyssa Aley purchased the business earlier this month from original owner Nancy Hammond and promises to continue offering the same crafts, gifts and floral services for which the store has become known.

Aley said she'd also have to do her best to take the place of Hammond, one of downtown's biggest personalities.

"I have big shoes to fill, I guess you could say," Aley said.

Aley heard that Hammond was looking to sell while she was getting her hair cut just a few doors down from the Downtown Shawnee business where she works with her husband, Aley & Associates Land Surveyors.

Hammond, who also owns a landscaping business and a gift store in Florida, called the owner of the hair salon to say she had decided to sell because she had too much on her plate.

Aley, who also grew up in Shawnee, said she had been interested in owning her own business and always had loved the tiny, three-room house that is now Nancy's Nitch. So two days after she heard the news, Aley bought the 4-year-old business from Hammond.

"I was one of those people who always drove by, and when I would see it, I'd think that it would be fun to own something like this," Aley said. "I love Shawnee and I'm a people person, so it will be fun."

Aley said she has no plans to change or add to the collection of hand-crafted decorations and gifts or floral services offered in the store.

"She has her own little niche, and I don't want to compete with Encore," Aley said, referring to the furniture, clothing and gift boutique downtown.

Aley said she knows her biggest challenge will be to meet Hammond's renown for decorations: Hammond has won both the Scarecrow Festival and Christmas Around Town decorating contests.

"She won everything, so she couldn't even enter anymore," Aley said. "But she still did the best decorations."

Hammond will still be around to "put her two cents in," Aley said, and anyone interested in the landscaping services Hammond used to offer through the store can contact Hammond through Aley.

But Aley said Nancy's Nitch probably would get a new name eventually. She said it would remain the same until customers can become familiar with her as the owner, and she will change it once she finds a name that fits.

The store's hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The store can be reached at (913) 631-4707.

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