The Pear Tree brings taste of Europe to Cumming

There’s a bit of the Old World to be found in the relatively new Vickery Village, a retail and restaurant district adjacent to a residential development in Cumming. The 2-year-old Pear Tree reflects the romantic tastes of its owner, Laura Lamb, who acknowledges a passion for Europe and France in particular.

“I got tired of having to drive to Buckhead to find things I wanted, and I’ve always wanted to have a store,” said Lamb, who lives nearby. “I actually started with a different vision, thinking I might be more gifty. But I lean toward vintage, European looks. I wanted it to look like someone’s old attic — that’s my taste.”

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H.M. Cauley / Special

The Pear Tree has a variety of old-world maps on Italian paper.

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H.M. Cauley / Special

‘Memory block’ tiles from artist Sid Dickens are $76 and are among the the Pear Tree’s best sellers.

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Lamb trolls estate sales and networks with retailers around the country to find her eclectic mix of merchandise. Some of her finds wind up as store decor: a tandem bicycle hanging from the ceiling is outlined in white lights; a clock that doesn’t work becomes part of the window display.

What you’ll find

Lamb’s retail attic is stuffed with wire bird cages, binoculars, old hat boxes, silver-handled magnifying glasses, antique family photos, doormats and Old World maps on Italian paper. Picture frames, book ends and tiles decorated with playing cards that double as coasters are on various tables. Other corners sport tin welcome signs ($20); hand-painted hand towels with images of wine glasses, flowers or teapots; dried rose bouquets; boxwood wreaths; and a bolster pillow stitched with the image of a three-funneled ocean liner.

Bowls, trays, platters and other serving pieces from Belaverra and Mariposa are in stock, along with tea towels, mugs, cutting boards and wooden fruit. Clocks abound, from the small nightstand size to huge wall hangings. Scents are found in French soaps, animal-shaped guest soaps, infusers and candles.

There are two bins of hand-cut potpourri that shoppers can ladle into small or large cardboard carry-out cartons ($5 and $10).

Best-sellers

Any of the “memory block” tiles from artist Sid Dickens are the store’s top sellers, said Lamb. The $76 plaster tiles come with letters or images that many buyers collect to create wall collages. Other top items are the wedding bowls, handcrafted by a local potter and inscribed with a couple’s name and wedding date. The bowls come in assorted colors in small ($55) or large ($95) sizes.

“I also sell a ton of hooks,” said Lamb, who has a selection in various sizes and styles, from sleek contemporary to metal birds. Hooks range from $4 to $10.

Trends

The vintage look continues to be the rage with Lamb’s buyers. “Anything that has that old apothecary look is what they want,” she said.

WHERE TO FIND IT

THE PEAR TREE

5817 S. Vickery St., Cumming

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday

Info: www.thepeartreegifts.com, 678-947-1891

In the area: The Pear Tree is part of Vickery Village, a Forsyth County residential community with a large retail and restaurant district where shoppers can stroll and dine.