Popular Lexington art, jewelry store and gallery closing after 44 years
A longtime popular Lexington art, jewelry store and gallery is closing after 44 years.
Artique Gallery, which is now located in Fayette Mall, will be shutting its doors, co-owner Jaime Hurt confirmed.
She emailed a message to customers announcing a going-out-of-business sale and said the store’s last day will be March 30.
“What to say? Unfortunately, I’ve drafted this note a handful of times over the past few years ... though each time through a bit of luck we manage to rally and carry on. I can’t deny any longer that we must now move on,” Jaime Hurt said in her message. “We have fought hard to survive the past several years, and now more than ever, I wish to stop surviving and start thriving.”
All of the items owned by the store are half off; paintings and other items sold on consignment for artists are not discounted.
Hurt said that she decided to close swiftly to get the “excruciating” process over with.
“Lastly, I appreciate your ongoing support. We have felt so loved and uplifted by this community. ... Please continue to support the little guys — the individual makers and small businesses in your community,” Hurt said in her message.
The local gallery, which sells handmade jewelry, artwork, handmade glass, clocks and more, opened in 1980 by Mike and Kathy Stutland in downtown Lexington. They opened a location in Lexington Green in 1996 and also had a location in the Lexington Convention Center.
Jaime and C.W. Hurt purchased the store from the Stutlands after the convention center location closed in 2016 when the founders retired.
In 2019, Artique moved from Lexington Green to Fayette Mall, near the Cheesecake Factory. At the time, Jaime Hurt said they wanted to store to be close to restaurants with lots of foot traffic.
“Artique is such a vibrant and happy place ... and our new location has that same great energy,” Hurt said in a statement in 2019. “We’re excited to move to a modern space that will beautifully showcase the work of the artists we represent. Looking to the future, we’re planning more cooperative projects and engaging the community creatively. We’re excited to reach new people and share what Artique is about.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 12:01 PM.
