Designer's Desk Needlepoint business, building for sale

GENEVA – After 10 years in Geneva, Pat Delp, the owner of Designer's Desk Needlepoint Shop at 216 James St., said she has put both the building and the business up for sale.

“I’m going to retire,” Delp said. “I’m 76. It’s time to retire. It’s been a wonderful 10 years.”

Austin Dempsey of Batavia Enterprises Real Estate said the building is for sale or lease. Dempsey said he has already had several clients interested in the 3,656-square-foot building, which is listed for just less than $1.5 million.

“I had an offer on it, but it didn’t work out,” Dempsey said. “But we’ve had two restaurant clients interested and a couple retailers expressed an interest. It’s rare to find an opportunity to be interwoven in the downtown history in the heart of Geneva.”

Delp said she has more than a million items in her inventory covering all three floors – everything from embroidery floss and needlepoint patterns to beads and all of the equipment – so she hopes to sell the business.

Delp, of St. Charles, said she went into the needlepoint and embroidery business 32 years ago, with 22 years first in Bloomingdale and then 10 years at the current location.

The building used to be the Kris Kringle Haus, a year-round Christmas store for 25 years. It had faced Third Street, but – when Delp bought it in 2007 – she had it turned around to face James Street. According to Geneva Township property records, the house was built in 1860.

Geneva History Museum Director Terry Emma said the building is one of the houses being featured in its Brown Bag program "Moved Houses" at noon Monday, April 12, at the museum, 113 S. Third St., Geneva.

As many homes in Geneva are not on their original lots, the program will focus on where these houses were first located, as well as the art of saving historic structures. Admission is $5 each or $3 for members. Register online at GenevaHistoryMuseum.org or at 630-232-4951.