2021 Women in Business

'Who is Ivy?' K aren Tyree opened Ivy's Attic, a resale store, 12 years ago. She named it after her mom. Ivy Crowton died 13 years ago. "She was special all right," Tyree said. "People ask me all the time (who Ivy was) and I just point to the picture" near the cash register. Ivy raised Tyree and three sons. When Ivy became ill with cancer, Tyree's design business was booming. But she went home to England to take care of her mom until she died. During that time together, Tyree asked Ivy many questions and wrote a book, "The Life of Ivy." "I found out a lot of things about her youth that I did not know about," Tyree said. "We were very close and (her death) was very traumatic." Back in Englewood one Sunday morning, Tyree was driving around to clear her head. She saw an empty storefront next to Linda Steven's shop, Stevens the Florist South on Access Road. Tyree opened the resale store there. Later she took over the other unit. Ivy's stylish ways inspired Tyree. "Ivy was extremely vibrant," Tyree said. "She was a fashionista. She was just beautiful." Her life wasn't always easy. She divorced twice. "She loved being on her own, but family was number-one," Tyree recalled. "She had a heart of gold. That's what people said. 'Ivy had a heart of gold.'" Tyree's employees never met Ivy, but people say they can feel her presence in the store when Tyree's there. She reflected on a recent visit by a mother and small daughter shopping on Dearborn. "Mommy, can I have that! Mommy, can I have that!" came the little girl's request. "This is when Ivy takes over," Tyree said. " 'You have that. Put that on your little wrist. Ivy would love that.' That move must have been Ivy. She's here all day." from Tyree's pocket. "It's my responsibility, good or bad and everything in between," she said. "I'm the manager. I run it. "I would never turn my back on anybody who has worked for me prior or now because they have always been very trustworthy and always had Ivy's back. You can't put a price on that." Something else you can't put a price on is a mother's love for her son. Last year, when John was working for a company that is part of Google, he was given an opportunity to work remotely. He and his wife, Andrea, and their shih tzu, moved to Englewood. Tyree calls Pete her "grand pup." Having lived in two extremes – slow Englewood and the pulsating Bay Area – Tyree said John decided a slower lifestyle has appeal. He enjoys running, being on the beach, cycling, canoeing and kayaking in the area. Tyree is a resident legal alien. She has all of the rights of an American citizen except voting. She expects to gain dual citizenship (like John has) and hopes it will happen during the next 10 years. "I'm always looking ahead," she said. "What are we going to do next? Despite the uncertainty associated with COVID-19, Tyree says she thinks Ivy's has a future. "It's going to be a diff erent future," she said. "I don't see (Ivy's) going anywhere but expanding and going up." Tyree says she will own a tea room. A clothing boutique, gift shop and tea room in one, actually. She's not sure if it will be on Dearborn Street. "The final thing I do," she said. Ivy's On Dearborn participates in numerous fashion shows that benefit local charities. Find out more at Ivysondearborn.com. DRIVING continued from page 27 Photo provided 28 Women In Business September 2021

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