Reviving Marion's Uptown: Domicile

Deb Witte’s business model for her new store is very simple.

Domicile sells used, high-end furniture that absolutely cannot look used. And, it has to meet a more rigorous test: Witte has to like each item in her store.

“I have worked with Deb previously for interior design projects,” said customer Ann Humbert. “She is great to work with and she has a very good eye for detail.”

Humbert said the decor of Witte’s business reflects the quality of the items inside. The building is a two-story house on Eighth Avenue, filled to the brim with used high-end furniture in impeccable condition.

Witte, a businesswoman who previously owned , said she wanted to bring something new to Marion: upscale, mint-condition furniture at prices far below the original ticket cost.

The way she sees it, that’s a rarity. She said many consignment shops don't spend the time or care in their selection of artwork and furniture. Some resell name brands that are known to break down, making the furniture much less reliable.

Like many uptown business owners, Witte said the impetus for starting Domicile was to add something unique to Marion.

“Marion has a lot of wonderful shops,” she said. “This is just an additional shop to help fill that void for consignment furniture.”

Beyond filling a void in Marion, Witte said Domicile is filling a void in her own life.

“I am a second half shopper myself,” said Witte. “This is the kind of place I would come to shop.”

She said she has seen Marion transform over the years into a more hospitable place due to passionate business owners opening unique businesses.

“As big city as Marion really is, it is a small town in that we (business owners) are all owner operated in the most part,” she said. “But we all live and breath Marion in our business — our customer base is our friends as well as new customers.”