Elizabeth Edwards’ eagerly awaited downtown furniture store, Red Window, is open for business.

I stopped by this morning and talked to store manager Cameron Hughes. A UNC graduate, Hughes has worked for the Edwards family since February and runs the store’s day-to-day operations.

The 700-square-foot space is packed with tables, accent pieces, sofas, chairs, lamps, rugs, paintings, pottery and bookcases. Edwards purchased it all from High Point. Her sister, Nancy, designed and created shadowboxes with seashell displays inside them.

Hughes says the store aims to carry furniture that is functional, comfortable and eclectic at reasonable prices. “We know that people, especially now, are on a budget,” she says.

Accessories start at $10. Hand-painted lamps sell for $50, and small canvas paintings are priced at $35. A set of three side tables painted with polka dots sells for $185. For those with larger budgets, a leather sofa is priced at $3,000. If a customer is looking for a specific piece of furniture, Hughes may have it at a warehouse stocked with more inventory.

A grand opening will be held on Aug. 22 from 10am to 5pm. Hughes says that neighboring businesses
in the 400 W. Rosemary St. building will be open as well, in order to create a “block party” atmosphere. Edwards, who named the store after a shop her mother ran in Japan called Red Door, will make an appearance.

“Elizabeth has the vision,” says Hughes. “She’s the one who buys the merchandise and has the [eye for] design.”

Hughes says the store has been doing quite well since it first opened its doors last month. This week, she’s sold a leather chair and a sofa. Cate Edwards, she says, has accompanied her mother to High Point to help choose inventory. And the younger Edwards children have been involved as well.

“Emma was in the store all last week,” she says. “And Jack was here yesterday. They’re really enjoying it. … They really want to make a sale.”

Red Window is open Monday through Friday, 10am-2pm.