One of downtown Downers Grove's most popular gift shops, Consider It Done, will close its doors this summer, nearly one year after the passing of its owner, Betty Jane "B.J. Boyd.
The store, 5133 Main St., has been operating for the past nine months under the watchful eye of Boyd's husband, Ken, their children, Nick and Annie, and a team of dedicated employees. Together, they worked to carry on Boyd's vision, humor and attention to detail—the things that made her one of the community's most beloved business owners.
"She was the heart and soul of this place," Annie Boyd said. "It was her labor of love, her happy place. It just isn't the same without her."
B.J. Boyd died in September after an eight-month battle with cancer. She was 60.
Boyd opened Consider It Done, 5133 Main St., in October 2000 using the slogan, "Come with Laughs, Leave with Treasures." The store carries gift baskets, whimsical clocks, humorous and inspirational wooden signs, picture frames, outdoor decor, baby gifts and more.
Prior to opening her store, Boyd made custom gift baskets for seven years out of the basement of Dream Interiors.
In 2009, she was honored with a Chamber Choice Award for overall business excellence by the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and in February she was honored with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.
Consider It Done will be closed until Thursday this week as the Boyds prepare for a going-out-of-business sale. All merchandise will be discounted up to 75 percent.
The store will likely close by the end of July.
"I think we always knew this was a possibility, but it didn't make the decision any easier," Ken Boyd said. "It's hard to disappoint all the customers and the people who have supported B.J. over the years. It's another loss, for sure."
The Boyds initially hoped to sell Consider It Done, but realized quickly that no one would be able to run the store quite like B.J.
"My mom loved everything about this business, and she cared deeply about her customers and this community," Annie Boyd said. "That's not something you can replicate."
Marissa Blake, 20, started working at Consider It Done four years ago. Since then, the Boyds and her co-workers have become like a second family, she said.
"I love it here. It's such a fun place to work," Blake said. "Mrs. Boyd was an amazing boss and made this place feel like home for all of us."
Another employee, Karina Palukaitis, 22, said she appreciated how much Boyd cared for her customers and staff.
"She was like a second mom," said Palukaitis, who started working at the store in 2006.
For Annie Boyd, Consider It Done has become much more than a gift store or a place to work. As she sorts through inventory—the funny, seemingly random items so loved by B.J.—and chats with customers, she is reminded of all the things that made her mom so special.
"Customers will come in here and tell me stories about my mom that I've never heard, and it's like they're giving me these brand new memories of her," Annie Boyd said. "It's beautiful to hear those stories and be able to feel connected to her in that way."
Annie said her family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support since they lost her mom, who would have been 61 on Tuesday.
"My mom left behind this big, beautiful family, who have shown us so much support and compassion," Annie said tearfully. "I see everything she built and how the fruits of her labor are now helping us during these hard times. It's grace. It really is."
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