Decatur’s Preservation Planner Regina Brewer writes in with this announcement about this year’s Decatur Old House Fair…

Given the number of times the dear readers of DM have debated “old versus new”, this event with the theme “Something Old, Something New” should satisfy all.  It’s the Decatur Old House Fair and it’s the one event where no one will look at your strangely when you utter words like “muntin” and “corbel” in the same sentence as “energy efficiency” and “low flush toilets ”.  In fact, you will be among many people who are currently pumping out the water from their basements and are eagerly looking forward to the session on “Mastering Moisture and Water Problems” (soon to be a movie with Kevin Bacon and filmed in any neighborhood with old houses!).

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Ann and Ellen at Mingei World Arts sent along this message late yesterday, which was subsequently sent out in their newsletter…

Dear Mingei Friends–

It is with great excitement and a bit of nostalgia that we announce that Mingei is changing. We are not going away but will be morphing into a different kind of business, one with a greater online presence, occasional and pop-up sales, and who knows what else? Our new Mingei will allow us to travel more, stay longer, and spend more time developing special products with our artisans. We will have the flexibility to head over to that faraway market, to return to that village and pick up an order, or to set down for a month someplace if we like to get a better feel for the work being done there.

Decatur has been wonderful to us, and we have loved being a part of the day-to-day business community there. We have made so many friends at the store and have loved sharing your stories and your lives as you have shopped with us for just the right gift, rewarded yourself with a special treat, or just come in for a visit and a browse. While we will not be physically behind the red lacquer door in that saffron- colored storefront, we will be around! Watch for more specifics in the months to come. We don’t want to lose you!

Our store on Church Street will be open for some more months. However, there are some exciting possibilities in the offing for that space. Watch for news! In the meantime, we will be open and doing business as usual. Come by and share a hug and a laugh. We’ll let you shop, too!

Ann and Ellen

Mingei World Arts

All the best Ann and Ellen!  The Decatur brick-and-mortar business landscape really won’t be the same without you!!