Real Deals Franchise Opening First Illinois Store.

When Margot Huber and her husband would go to Wenatchee, Wash., to visit his family in recent years, one of her stops would always be the Real Deals on Home Decor store. The shop, which sells lamps, clocks, mirrors, furniture and other home decor items, was one of many on the country's West Coast, but there wasn"�t a shop within 200 miles of her Alton home.

To change that, Huber took matters into her own hands.

"I kept shopping at it and my husband said, "�Would you be interested in doing a franchise?"�" Huber said. "I was ready for something new." After 12 years working at Marquette Catholic High School, Huber's new career starts next week when her Real Deals store at 237 E. Delmar Road opens its doors. The store will have its grand opening Feb. 27-March 1, offering deals on different items each day. The store will typically only be open on Thursdays and Saturdays, but Huber said they"�ll be open Friday, Feb. 28, as part of the grand opening.

Huber said she's excited for the big day.

"It's really neat," Huber said. "My family out in Washington were really pumped for me and said, "�You can do this,"� and I said "�I can do this."� It helps that I had the Marquette family supporting me. It was just time for a new change in life." Part of the draw of the stores, according to Huber, is the discount prices, which she describes as "warehouse pricing." The ever-changing inventory also creates an atmosphere where customers keep coming back to see what's new this week. And, Huber said, the store will not only carry items with which to decorate your home, but it will also help customers with suggestions on how to decorate, with sections of the shop set up like rooms in a home.

One of the things Huber is most looking forward to is getting to interact with the community. After years at Marquette, she said she's not ready for a quiet life just yet.

"I have a lot of friends and family in the area, and I thought it"�d be a good way to continue being out with public and being around people," Huber said.

Real Deal franchises are in 23 states and in Canada as well, but the Alton location will be the first in Illinois. There are currently no franchises in Missouri, meaning Huber's store will likely become a popular draw for shoppers from all over the area.

"With being open just two days a week, we have to carry the best product at the best price in a party atmosphere that leaves customers wanting more next week," Huber said. "Customers are willing to drive for the experience we create, and it becomes a win-win for everyone because they end up patronizing other shops and restaurants in town. My goal is to help make Alton, not just one store, a destination." The shop opens at 10 a.m. Thursday. For more information on the business visit www.realdeals.net/alton, call 618-433-9960, or see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RealDealsAlton.

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