Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest: It's All in the Details

The Story Behind Nell Hill's and Mary Carol Garrity

Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest: It's All in the Details

Who knew the little town of Atchison, Kansas (population 10,232), located on the banks of the Missouri River in America's heartland, would be the birthplace to two of America's gutsiest female entrepreneurs?

Atchison first gained acclaim as home to America's favorite female aviary ace, Amelia Earhart. Now, the town is brimming with pride over its newest sensation, designer Mary Carol Garrity, who has almost single-handedly revived Earhart's birthplace into a bustling decorator's destination.

While many businesses in Atchison were closing their doors and deserting downtown Atchison, Garrity established Nell Hill's—a gourmet food shop that evolved into a specialty home décor shop named after her grandmother. As Garrity's fledgling business began to thrive, businesses began returning to the city's downtown area—with The Wall Street Journal hailing Garrity as a "one-person economic-development force" and Forbes magazine declaring her "one of America's hottest little retailers."

What America's Saying About Mary Carol

Diane McKeon Charkalis of The New York Times recognizes Mary Carol Garrity as a décor "Expert."

"Mary Carol and her store have created such a stir, even the national media have stood up and noticed. She has been written up in Fortune magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Victoria and Country Living and has been featured on the Today show." —Star Magazine

"Mary Carol Garrity is the kind of woman who can mix cinnamon sticks and pinecones with crystal glassware on a silver tray—then convince shoppers the look is seamless and elegant. Her signature, layered style is designed to make people surround themselves with beautiful, affordable quality." —Midwest Living

Today, downtown Atchison is once again a unique and thriving shopping destination—owing much of its renaissance to Garrity. Continued success and outstanding demand prompted Garrity to open additional stores, including the new Nell Hill's in Kansas City, a warehouse, and more than 100 employees; author four books; and launch both paint and home décor product lines. Such growth affirms that Garrity is indeed one of today's top design and entertaining resources.

Mary Carol Garrity

Mary Carol Garrity is the dynamic proprietor of Nell Hill's, the home furnishings emporium in Atchison, Kansas, who Forbes magazine dubbed "one of the hottest little retailers." Ninety-five percent of her customers return several times a year from surrounding states stretching to the four corners of the country. They come in search of special, unpredictable merchandise that Mary Carol personally designs and selects for her stores. As one of today's top lifestyle resources—with her own furniture, paint, and home accessory lines—Mary Carol is always on hand to personally answer customers' questions and offer real-life decorating solutions. Mary Carol lives in Atchison, Kansas, with her husband, Dan, and Boots, the cat.

Contact: Kathy Hilliard, Publicity Director, (800) 851-8923, ext. 7497, khilliard@amuniversal.com

Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest: It's All in the Details

Author: Mary Carol Garrity
ISBN: 978-0-7407-6858-3
Format: Hardcover 8 3/4 x 10, 128 pages
Price: $29.95 ($37.50 Canada)

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