Winchester Home Decor Going Out of Business

Winchester Home Decor has announced it is going out of business. Owner Fahad Bashir lost a significant amount of inventory after a flood in his Falmouth store that was not covered by insurance. With losses around $1.1 million in the midst of the current economic climate, Bashir decided he needed to close down both shops. 

Now Bashir hopes to sell his remaining inventory in order to recoup some of his losses. A preview sale has already started, with prices at 50-80 percent off. The official sale starts Oct. 15 and will run until the store closes down in mid-January.

Until it closes, Winchester Home Decor will continue to offer the products and services it has since opening in 2009. The business is primarily focused on rugs, including Oriental, tribal, contemporary, and some antique rugs. Wood flooring and installation are also offered, as well as other home decor products.

In addition, Bashir will continue to provide his unique service programs, including a “try it free, buy it” program which allows customers to try a rug in their home for a day or so for free, then choose to either buy it or return it to the store. 

Bashir also offers in-home consultation services in which he goes to a customer’s home, measures the space and assesses colors and styles.  After that, he selects a few specific rugs for the space, brings them to the customer’s house, and allows the customer to try the rug in the home for a day or so before making a decision. 

While Bashir will continue to offer the consultation services, he noted his appointment times are booking fast since the closing sale was announced. 

The flood that undid his business came as a shock to Bashir. Last winter, he stored many rugs in the basement of his Falmouth store, which is open seasonally starting around May. In the spring, he opened the store as usual and was shocked to find the basement flooded.

“I went down to pick up a rug and saw there was water everywhere. One of the rear entry doors to the basement had given way,” Bashir said. 

He did not have flood insurance, so the loss was not covered by his own insurance. However, he said, it was a structural issue with the building that caused the damage, so he asked his landlord to file a claim under the building’s insurance. That claim was denied and is now in litigation.

Bashir had hoped to hold out in the meantime, but said sales have been very low this year. By August, he realized he could not sustain the business and had to close down.

“I did lose a lot of sleep,” he said. “But you have family, they support you, and friends, of course.” 

What Bashir didn’t anticipate was the outpouring from the Winchester community. Clients from years ago are coming back now to say they’re sorry the store is going out of business. Bashir said he really appreciates hearing that. Customers have also helped him realize that, while his store is shutting down, its legacy will live on.

“Not only are [my clients] going to be able to use their rug for the rest of their lives, but they will be able to pass it on to future generations,” Bashir said. “It’s nice to know that you had that kind of impact.”