E.A. Davis has been a Wellesley institution since the clothing store was founded in 1904 by Emma A. Davis. For decades the store’s business model of providing an intergenerational shopping experience that featured traditional, classic styles worked. Shoppers valued the attentive customer service the store provided, and knew they could get high-end looks and quality for the whole family in one place. A home design studio has always been a part of the business, and many of Wellesley’s most beautiful homes are graced with window treatments and upholstered (and re-upholstered) furniture from the store.
Sadly, the E.A. Davis run has come to an end. Known since 2022 as E.A. Davis & Co by MAHI GOLD Outfitters, when ownership changed over to the Voelkel family, the store is now mostly empty.
“After two years in town, we have decided to close our doors,” Becky Voelkel told us via email. “While this is not a decision we came to lightly, it is one that is in the best interest of our business as a whole. For over a century, E.A. Davis has been a staple of the Wellesley community. It was our intent to carry that tradition forward. However, despite a complete renovation and reenergized brand mix, we faced the same issue as the previous owner—lack of foot traffic. We are fortunate—our business is diverse and has strong revenue streams beyond our retail stores. We urge the Wellesley community to recognize that many of the businesses that line Main Street, businesses that you love, rely solely on the revenue from their singular Wellesley store. In this economic climate, it is more important than ever, to shop local and support the businesses that you love.
“We greatly appreciate and respect the Wellesley community. We look forward to seeing your familiar faces in our Chatham store and invite you to continue to shop with us online. Both our Chatham store and website will still honor any gift cards that were purchased in our Wellesley store.”
Voelkel also wants those with home design projects in progress to know that E.A. Davis will be honoring those commitments. Details will be worked out privately with those clients.
As this is an evolving situation, Voelkel wasn’t 100% sure what would happen to the iconic neon E.A. Davis sign, or the antique cash register. We wonder if those items might be of interest to the Wellesley Historical Society?
We wish the Voelkels continued success with their other business enterprises.
No definitive word on what’s next
We spoke in person with Church Square property manager Dennis DiSchino, who offered musings and mullings over what might come next in the E.A. Davis space, but nothing he wanted to commit to a quote.
He did tell us that several potential tenants are interested in the former Papa Wheelies space, which has been getting tidier by the day as it receives suitors.
And as we reported yesterday, a business called Sugaring NYC will move into 25 Church Square, most recently home to pop-up Gray Heron. Sugaring NYC might sound like a chocolate or candy shop, but it’s actually a hair removal business. “Once you try Sugaring, we bet you never go back to waxing,” the business teases on its website.
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The Skolnicks share story of their family’s time as E.A. Davis’ stewards
Oh noooo. This was our go to spot for toys located on the balcony. Such a treasured place we frequented often with our girls when they were small. It was one of a kind and we are sorry to see it close.
EA Davis was my second family. What great years of employment I had there with the interior design department – incredible memories. The Skolnicks are a wonderful family and I loved working for them and with all the employees there – a great group for many years. So grateful to have known our outstanding clients, excellent workrooms, and all the fun and interesting work. I will miss E.A. Davis and visiting there regularly but so glad I got to work there! I will always credit them for my good work ethic and high customer service standards which were taught so well.
Thanks for sharing this Allison…
In the old days, EADavis’ upstairs toy section carried the most unique and beautiful gifts, and a clown riding a bicycle on a “high wire” lured curious customers up to browse in this irresistible children’s paradise. Thanks for the memories.