In-Focus | Published May 28, 2024
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Just by Happenstance is saying goodbye to its standalone location and moving three buildings south on Groesbeck this summer.
“We are moving the shop into St. Clair Glass and Mirror and blending our two showrooms,” said owner Emily Sikora. “It’s my husband, Ken’s, business of 41 years. He specializes in shower enclosures and residential glass and mirror lines, which I believe will incorporate nicely with my products.”
Emily’s one-of-a-kind home furnishings store specializes in contemporary, transitional and mid-century modern designs. She offers an extensive range of products including Norwalk custom upholstered furniture, home decor, accent furniture, wall art and more.
“I started out with refinished furniture and evolved to more new pieces because I saw a need for something like this in the area,” Emily said, adding that she attends markets twice a year to hand-select pieces that resonate with the distinctive charm of her store.
She chose the name Just by Happenstance to reflect the way she often discovers the items in her store by chance.
“That’s how I’ve sourced my pieces — finding a little here, a little there,” she explained. “I don’t stock large quantities. Each piece is unique to the store and typically not something you’d find just anywhere. I carry only one or two of each item.”
Over the years Emily has created a loyal customer base.
“We have lots of regulars who come in and meander through the store just to look around,” she said. “They love the layout and call it their ‘happy place.’ This is my happy place too. I’ve made lots of friends here, and I enjoy conversing with customers, striking up relationships and offering products they like. We have a lot of fun.”
Emily also refinishes furniture for clients who bring her their family treasures, hoping to give them new life.
“There are always stories behind those pieces, and it’s a joy to see the happiness on my clients’ faces when they see the finished product,” she said.
For those who want to refinish their own furniture, she carries a selection of DIY paint products such as Fusion Mineral Paint, Wise Owl and General Finishes, and holds workshops to assist customers with their projects.
“Once we are over in Ken’s store we will be celebrating our seventh year in business with a Just by Happenstance birthday event,” she said. Although an exact date isn’t confirmed yet, it will likely be at the end of June or early July.
Reflecting on the prospect of working with her husband every day, Emily joked: “I’m still not driving to work with him. I need some downtime you know.”
New location: 36675 Groesbeck Hwy. in Clinton Township. For more information, call (586) 213-1914, visit justbyhappenstance.com and Just By Happenstance on Instagram and Facebook.