After more than a decade in business, a downtown St. George shop known for its repurposed furniture, eco-friendly home goods and handmade art is at a crossroads.
Reclaimed has seen a significant decrease in foot traffic, leaving the future in question as the owner faces tough decisions such as selling or liquidating the business.
Jennifer Hawkins, Reclaimed owner, originally founded the business as a furniture repurposing shop in the St. George Industrial Park, but eventually relocated to downtown St. George Boulevard. This is where the business would thrive as her shop evolved into a diverse storefront, offering handmade art and 3D printed gifts.
“The definition of reclaimed right out of the dictionary is to take something old, worn, cast out and make it usable again,” Hawkins said.
While the store saw growth with the relocation, recent changes have led to a sharp decline in visitors. Hawkins cited several factors, including parking and the relocation of popular downtown events, like the Downtown Farmers Market and First Friday, which once brought consistent crowds to Ancestor Square.
Kris Carter, co-owner of Shop St. George Boulevard, a social media agency highlighting local businesses, has seen firsthand the difficulties local shop owners face.
Carter said Reclaimed is not the only business facing these same difficulties, and the goal of their agency is to bring awareness to small shops on the boulevard that offer a unique culture and community to the area.
Carter said, “If there’s no easy parking or poor walkability, it discourages people from stopping by.”
Tristen Osness, co-owner of neighboring business Rock House Records, said he hasn’t experienced the same struggles as Reclaimed.
However, he did cite a notable decline in business in 2024, due to the intense desert heat.
“Nobody wanted to go outside, so it hurt us a little bit,” Osness said.
He also said they get most of their business from tourists, and it’s rare to find locals shopping at Ancestor Square.
“Locals don’t come to downtown,” Osness said. “St. George still has that small town vibe, and the busy sections aren’t interesting. We like our quiet. That’s why I’m living here.”
Not only is parking and foot traffic impacting small businesses, but major retailers like Walmart, Target and the rise of online shopping have an impact as well.
“The thing you’re missing out on is the human experience, and I understand that a lot of people are coming back to that,” Hawkins said. “I just don’t know if it’s in time to save me.”
Carter also said the importance of shopping locally and how it impacts St. George’s economy.
“They [small businesses] are going to hire local [and] source local when they can and they spend local. So, they are the backbone of our economy,” Carter said.
The decline in customers tied to rising rent and operating costs has put Reclaimed in a difficult financial position. Hawkins also said it’s just her and her husband running the shop, as the overhead costs are too high to afford to hire employees.
With her lease ending in September, the future of Reclaimed remains unclear. If Hawkins doesn’t get enough business, she faces the decision of selling the business to preserve “character” on St. George Boulevard or liquidating the business and turning the next page.
Some locals are expressing their discomfort and sadness if the business were to close down. Sharon, a local of 20 years, said she visits Reclaimed at least twice a year.
“I love the fact that it’s so eclectic and it’s just real fun to walk through, so I would feel bad if it wasn’t here,” Sharon said.
Hawkins said the ideal situation would be to stay and continue running the business, as she has years of curating meaningful connections by sharing her love for art and creativity.
Hawkins said: “If love were money, I’d be on vacation all the time because I’d be a rich woman. It’s because so many people love this place.”
