New home decor shop arrives on the Avenue

Magpie, a new antique and vintage home decor shop, has opened in Chestnut Hill at 8517 Germantown Ave.

Owner Debra Clarke curated the store to include decorations, lighting, textiles, gifts, and furniture. Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of items handpicked by Clarke.

“I basically just buy and sell what I love,” Clarke told the Local when asked what shoppers can expect at Magpie. “I don’t base it on anything. I guess if you had to say, it would be a little bit more on the modern side, but if I see something that I love on its own, I’ll buy it and I’ll put a price on it.”

Magpie is not Clarke’s first venture into buying, collecting, and selling antiques. She previously ran stores in Richmond and Washington, D.C., as well as informal sales out of the barn in her backyard in upstate New York multiple times a year.

Although she lives in East Falls, Clarke said she was not initially very aware of Chestnut Hill as a potential location for her shop.

“Anybody who lives here drives through [Chestnut Hill], but I had never walked the street or shopped here before,” Clarke said. “I was looking elsewhere.”

However, Clarke met her future landlord socially and realized the property at 8517 Germantown Ave. might be a good fit. She agreed on a lease until March, and the decision to extend or terminate it will come down to the store’s success.

Since opening Magpie in early November, Clarke said the holiday shopping rush has led to a steady flow of customers despite her lack of a social media presence and minimal advertising. She anticipates that the beginning of 2026 will be slower for the business, but she is eager to use that time to try new things and expand her reach into the Chestnut Hill business community.

“I’ve been too busy to do [collaborations with other Chestnut Hill businesses], but I’m hoping that in January we’ll be able to get to know each other better and talk about doing some events together,” Clarke said.

Future ideas for events include having decorators come to Magpie and give talks, as well as having florists give flower arranging demonstrations closer to the spring.

Clarke said she is happy with Magpie’s first month on the Avenue and expressed gratitude for the reception she received upon opening.

“Everyone’s been so nice to me,” Clarke said. “Everyone’s been so welcoming and gracious.”

Magpie is located at 8517 Germantown Ave. Call Debra Clarke at 434-409-7309 for more information.

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at [email protected].