Business Type Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores

NAICS Code 442

Location 214 Jefferson Street, Ripon, WI 54971

Nearby Businesses Carley House, Goosebeary’s Quilt Shop, Tracy Porter, Holly & Ivy, Farrell’s Fine Furnishings, Fat Bruce’s Bakery & Eating Kitchen

Owner/Manager Judy Janzen

Special Store Activities

Year Opened 2001

Website http://www.simplertime.com

Phone 920-748-5793

E-mail info@simplertime.com  

Community Profile Ripon (population – 6,828; ten mile radius population – 20,721) is located 18 miles west of Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. Ripon, a small college town with a revitalized central business district, has become an appealing place for local residents to live, work and play, as well as a popular tourist destination. In addition to its distinctive architecture, downtown Ripon features a wide array of retail and service businesses that meet the needs of local and regional residents. Ripon’s diverse business base is anchored by traditional retailers selling apparel, jewelry, home furnishings and unique gifts. The district also has a drug store, a variety of restaurants, a movie theatre, and is the home of the Birthplace of the Republican Party museum

Products Sold & Niche Developed

A Simpler Time offers a unique blend of classic American country, primitives, and folk art accents. About 85% of store products are made in the U.S.A. by some of the top American craftsmen in historic decor. A Simpler Time also carries Century Color paints and primitive antiques. Product lines include: candles; diffusers; potpourris and tarts; wonderfully aged cupboards, shelves, furniture, pewter, and redware; linens, coverlets, wovens and rugs.

Market Segments Served

A Simpler Time serves customers from surrounding communities and the Fox Valley area. Through our website, they sell and ship items all over the nation. Items are shipped internationally and are currently working on growing that part of the business.

Contributions to the Business Community

A Simpler Time has been a part of the Ripon shopping experience since May 2001. The business expanded in March 2006 when we purchased an 1863 stone building located along Silver Creek in Ripon. We have spent a great deal of time and energy restoring the building back to its late 19th Century appearance. It has truly been a labor of love. Not only to have our business in a historic building but also to preserve an historic structure for future generations to enjoy. We offer a wide range of historic home decor, consulting services and decorating ideas. We also offer a mix of product for not just the veteran historic decor lovers but also the new comers to the look. Our product includes winsors, pewter, hand-forged iron, tin and iron lighting, hand wovens, upholstered furniture pieces, cupboards, shelves and the list goes on from some of the top craftsmen in historic decor.

A Simpler Time hosts workshops on paint techniques for your furniture and your home. In addition they give a special birthday discount to our customers at the time of their birthday. A Simpler Time has a big birthday (store anniversary) party for the store and offer discounts. They also have a food drive (for 2 legged and 4 legged friends) where the customer gets a discount for each can good or non-perishable item they bring in. The proceeds are donated to the local food pantry and the local animal shelter. Simply enjoying that step back in time…..back to a simpler time.