Adorning the sign above the doorway into Maison Decor is a line that reads, “Come inside … you’ll be surprised!”
It’s an appropriate welcome into a store packed to the brim with countless home décor items. The store’s impressive outside display of fountains and outdoor items first draws the attention of the visitor, and many, in fact, are surprised that there is more to browse indoors.
“Not a week that goes by where we don’t hear, ‘oh, wow, look at all of this! I didn’t know there was more here!’ said store owner Shane Matherne. “Our outside stuff is the most visible part of our business. When people come in the store, ‘oh, I didn’t realize you have all of this.’ Hence the phrase ‘step inside, you’ll be surprised’. They walk in totally surprised. A girl that works with us came up with it.”
Established in February of 2000, the Boutte store offers everything from jewelry to giant fountains. It has a boutique section, jewelry, women’s clothes, shoes, and what Matherne believes is “probably the largest selection of garden flags in the area.”
“We’re also the only authorized Yankee Candle dealer in St. Charles Parish and the largest Independent dealer of Yankee Candles in the New Orleans area,” Matherne said.
Items sold also include Henri Studio Statuary and Fountains, DaVinci Jewelry & Charms, Stacks Rings, Crabtree and Evelyn Skin Care Products and Elf on the Shelf. The store offers wall decor, women’s footwear, gifts, delivery and fountain installation.
Because of diversity of merchandise Maison Décor offers, Matherne says the store has a wide, diverse group of customers.
“Some come in for jewelry, women’s clothes or to buy a $10,000 fountain,” he said. “We meet lots of interesting people.”
The store also has an Internet presence and has delivered to numerous different parts of the country.
“We just delivered a fountain to Tylertown, Mississippi,” Matherne said.
When initially planning on opening a store, Matherne said his first instinct was, ironically, one that somewhat matches the impression of those unaware of the indoor product: his vision was a more outdoor-oriented marketplace.
“A lawn décor store,” he explained. “I used to have an antique store in Ponchatoula. A lot of customers knew that, and would ask, ‘oh look, because you’re up there already, can you bring me this décor piece?’ It just evolved over time from listening to what people wanted.
“I searched for those products and I searched for products where we can be an authorized dealer that’s territorially protected. Obviously with the Luling and Boutte area being so small, we didn’t want to do what others were doing.”
Matherne said he believes better customer service, pricing and quality products are the cornerstones of what has made the business a success since it was established nearly 16 years ago.
“And we have great customers,” he said. “They’re the best part of doing business out here.”
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