Art Loft in Birmingham closing this summer

Iconic Birmingham gift store Art Loft is closing in July when the lease expires, owner Rachael A-Woods announced.

Art Loft, located at 123 W. Maple Road, carries modern and contemporary gifts and accessories idea for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and has had bridal and baby registry. Special lines Woods has carried are Alessi, Michael Aram, Sid Dickens and Jonathan Adler, as well as unique jewelry, clothing and accessories.

“We've been here for over 20 years, and my husband and I want to move south,” Woods said. “The Carolinas and the Atlantic Ocean are calling my name.”

She said that while they don't plan to move for about a year-and-half, when they anticipate moving to Charleston, with her lease coming up in July, it was time to close the store. A Midtown Detroit location of Art Loft, at 4160 Cass Avenue, which she opened in October 2015, will be kept for now, she said.

“We're also keeping our tennis stores,” she said, referring to Total Tennis, located at 2519 W. Maple at Cranbrook roads, and inside Franklin Racquet Club, which she owns with her husband.

“I'm taking care of business right now,” she said. “I love this town. I moved here from London, England, and it's (Birmingham) my second home. I've been here for 20 years. I worked at Jacobson's, then bought Art Loft 20 years ago.”

She said because Alessi, a contemporary European brand, is so huge with Europeans, she has a huge following with a very large European community that lives here because of the automotive industry.

Through February 14, Woods said Art Loft is having a private sale, offering 25 percent off Alessi and Michael Aram, 20 percent off Sid Dickens, 30 percent off Carol Boyes and jewelry, and 50 percent off Jonathon Adler and clothing, as well as 30 to 50 percent off select gifts and housewares.