Nomad to close downtown shop, launch C-Street showroom

The owners of Springfield retailer Nomad are on the move, with plans to close their downtown shop and open a Commercial Street showroom as they travel to fine arts shows across the country.

Mick Whitcomb, who co-owns the company with his wife, Paige, said the 318 W. Walnut St. store they opened in March 2012 will close in mid-July.

They’ll continue to operate a 2,400-square-foot showroom - in a family-owned building at 214 E. Commercial St. - as they focus on their Artifacts by Nomad line, comprising turn-of-the-century-style lighting and furniture made from repurposed architectural and industrial salvage.

“Over the last year or so, that’s what we’ve seen the most growth in,” said Whitcomb, who previously used the C-Street space as a workshop. “There’s really been a market for those more unique items. That’s what we enjoy doing.”

He said the husband-and-wife owners are closing the Walnut Street store largely to focus on traveling, with plans to hit art shows in 16 states to sell its Artifacts line, as well as online at ArtifactsByNomad.com.

When they’re in Springfield, they’ll open the showroom by appointment to walk customers through their designs. The space also would serve as a concert venue, he said.

Whitcomb said Nomad also would continue to create its Renaissance-style jewelry items and focus on selling products in other brick-and-mortar stores, such as Ellecor in Farmers Park.[[In-content Ad]]