Brenda Cobb took a chance in 1981 and bought a gift shop in the heart of Decatur when downtowns weren’t exactly a prime destination. Her shop, The 17 Steps, became one, and it has survived and prospered to this day, thanks to her keen eye for the artful items she stocked and the extra attention she gave her customers.
Lyn Menne, Decatur’s assistant city manager, said when she came to the city in 1983 as director of its downtown development authority, many retailers were abandoning historic commercial centers for suburban malls and strip shopping centers.
“Brenda,” she said, “was one of a handful of Decatur retailers who staked their flags in our historic commercial business district and worked tirelessly to bring back a thriving retail district. Brenda and her daughter Julie served on committees, helped decorate the square for the holidays and could always be counted on to help with events designed to bring people downtown.”
Menne said Cobb had a talent for merchandising, and her shop was well known as the place to go for appropriate gifts, cards and household items.
“Brenda’s success helped prove that quality retail could thrive in downtown Decatur,” Menne said.
Sally Shaffer of Decatur was a frequent 17 Steps customer who became an employee at the shop. She said it got its name because when it was first opened in 1976, it was on a lower level of a bank building, and it took 17 steps to get to it. The shop retains the name after moving to four other downtown Decatur locations.
“Brenda had such an artistic eye. She could look through a catalog of junk and find the one beautiful item to stock at 17 Steps,” Shaffer said.
The 17 Steps staff wraps each gift with care and flair, for free. “That came from Brenda,” Shaffer said. “It was important to her that we present things well.”
Brenda Irby Cobb, 73, of Decatur died July 19 at Hospice Atlanta of complications of breast cancer. Her family will receive friends today between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home. A private celebration of her life will take place in early autumn.
Marty Hillman of Tucker, a longtime friend, said Cobb was a tasteful decorator, a knowledgeable gardener, a seasoned traveler, a competitive but gracious tennis player, an accomplished cook and a fabulous hostess.
“Brenda’s dinner parties were extraordinary,” Hillman said. “Everything was so carefully prepared: the hors d’oeuvres, the main courses, the wines, the desserts, the table service.”
Another friend, Mary Moore of Decatur, said once she realized how talented Cobb was in the kitchen, “I felt I could set aside my ‘Joy of Cooking’ and other cookbooks and rely on Brenda’s expert advice and her wonderful recipes.”
Julie Cobb, also a Decatur resident, said her mother delighted in traveling, especially to Paris, which she visited a dozen times. She managed quite nicely there even though her French didn’t advance much past “s’il vous plait” and “merci,” her daughter said.
Survivors also include her husband of 53 years, James Cobb; another daughter, Susan Fleischman of Decatur; a son, Michael Cobb of Tucker; a sister, Pamela Sims, and a brother, Eddie Wayne Irby, both of Meridian, Miss.; and two grandchildren.
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