April 01, 2025
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Rustic Roots brings home decor shop to Sycamore

By JOSH TOLENTINO

Amy Nicklaus, owner of Rustic Roots home and decor shop, poses with husband, Seth, at the store at 120 Maple St. in Sycamore. (Photo provided)

SYCAMORE – Amy Nicklaus walked through downtown Sycamore and instantly fell in love.

She loved the homey atmosphere and local feel. The owner of a Dixon-based home decor shop, Rustic Roots, she wanted to become part of the community.

“Everybody is so nice,” she said. “You can leave your [store] door open and just feel the vibes around downtown. I love that atmosphere.”

Nicklaus recently expanded Rustic Roots and opened a new location at 120 Maple St. in Sycamore.

She said Rustic Roots has many loyal customers from the DeKalb County area who would drive weekly to shop in Dixon.

By opening a new store in Sycamore, Nicklaus said she can now better serve those customers, while also hopefully expand to new ones in nearby Geneva and St. Charles.

Rustic Roots specializes in custom signage and features a variety of modern farmhouse decor, including furniture, candles and greenery.

“It has grown on its own quickly,” Nicklaus said. “We’ve been getting more customers and getting more product.

“Our growth is the result of the support we’ve received from our customers,” she said.

Nicklaus started Rustic Roots out of her in-laws’ home in 2016 – but it didn’t stay there long. Just a few months later, she opened her own store at 725 N. Brinton Ave. in Dixon.

“We went from 500 to 4,200 square feet within six months of opening,” she said. “I knew we wanted to expand and grow.”

The Sycamore store will be managed by Nicklaus and her husband, Seth, while her sister, Lacey Goodeill, has helped manage the store during its opening month.

The store's famous signage will still be produced in Dixon, while the Sycamore location will be a retail-only store. Customers also can purchase items online at www.rusticrootsil.com/signs.

Rustic Roots is only open Thursday through Saturday, but Nicklaus said she is constantly working throughout the week, making new custom signs.

“People wanted more, they liked our style,” she said. “They were asking for more products. We’re so happy to be in Sycamore. We saw the downtown area and wanted to become part of that.”