Simply Charming Coming Back to Cedar Lee

is coming back to the Cedar Lee Business District.

Elisabeth Gevelber closed her store in 2009 when she thought she was going to move to Arizona.

She ended up staying in town and two years later, relocated to Warrensville Center Road in University Heights.

“I thought, the space is available and it had free parking and it gets a lot of traffic, but that never happened,” said Gevelber, who opened the store in September and closed it June 9.

Loyal customers from Cedar Lee came to the greeting card, jewelry, handbag and candle shop, but it was difficult to attract new customers.

So Gevelber decided to move back home.

“These were my old stomping grounds. We’d always spend Saturday with grandma,” said Gevelber, recalling memories of Franklin Ice Cream and the laundromat and pointing to the buildings that once housed them. Her dad is a grad. “This was my home.”

Gevelber, who lives in Beachwood, also praised the supportive merchants in the district.

“This is a community and they watch out for each other … They want good things for each other,” she said.

She said she’ll continue to sell the items she’s known for but will add men’s jewelry, gifts and books for babies and kids, and “pet stuff” in the 900-square foot store where used to be.

“One of my customers always calls it the ‘girlfriend store’ because it’s a great place to find stuff for your girlfriends or the women in your life,” she said. “I’m looking forward to trying new things out that I didn’t try (at Warrensville).”

Some of her jewelry costs just $4 while other pieces are $150.

"There's something for everyone. You never have to leave thinking, 'Oh, I can't afford anything here,'" she said.

Shawn Paul Gustafson owns , Simply Charming's former home, and said his customers always talk about Gevelber's store. He encouraged her to come back.

“I think it’s important we have a stronger retail presence on Lee Road,” Gustafson said. “Elisabeth has always been committed to this community, and she’s the type of merchant we want here on Lee Road.

“I don’t want to go to Legacy Village to get gifts. I want to do it right on Lee Road and support my community.”

Gevelber said she has been amazed by the support she’s received since announcing she was moving on her Facebook page.

“One of my customers came up to me and hugged me at . My son’s like, ‘My mom’s a rock star,’” she said, laughing.

She noted her relationship with customers.

“I like people and I like getting to know them. I like to know their stories.”

Simply Charming, 2254 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. 216-321-1296, simplycharmingtheboutique.com. Target opening date June 26. Open Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m to 8 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.