Teresa Phillipson has long dreamed of owning her business and that will become a reality in February when her high-end furniture store, Willow Haven opens.
Willow Haven will be located at 309 E. Main St. at the Bondi Building, the former site of Springleaf Financial.
Phillipson tells WGIL that Bob Bondi has been great to work with and the location is a perfect fit.
“Starting out it’s just me and I didn’t want to take on more than I could handle, so I think it’s the right size. It’s just a little over 2,400 feet.”
The store will sell crystal pieces, pottery, towels and dishes or as Phillipson puts it, “anything that would make a house a home”.
Before she worked for 16 years as the administrator of Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Center.
But all the while she’s harbored a desire to own her own business and a passion for design.
“I designed the cancer center, I’ve done a children’s library. It’s always been a passion but it’s not been what I’ve done for a living.”
Phillipson is from Galesburg and worked at the old Leath’s furniture store before attending Knox College.
Right now the store is in the middle of remodeling and construction and the launch date is a little later than what she was initially hoped for, but expects doors will open at Willow Haven sometime in February.
