A visit to Kentucky was the inspiration for Hennessy Home Accents, a new Sleepy Hollow business selling home décor items “imported “directly from the Bluegrass State.

“We went to Kentucky on vacation and saw there was an abundance of this beautiful vintage furniture and it was so cheap,” said Tarrytown resident Anita McGovern. “We thought there would definitely be a market for these unique items in New York.”

Open since November 12, McGovern and her friend and business partner, Briarcliff resident Karen Doyle, sell primitive and vintage items from Kentucky on the second and third floors of the Hennessy House, at 16 New Broadway in Sleepy Hollow.

“We are having so much fun,” said Doyle. “We went down on a buying trip in September and shopped for four days. What we sell reflects our own personal taste. You have to sell what you love.”

Hennessy Home Accents is not an antique dealer, nor does it sell things you would find in a normal furniture store. Its focus is on primitive and vintage furniture, such as side tables, lamps, art, rugs, pottery, and other one-of-a kind items, such as a trundle bed. A rustic farm table recently sold for $575 and a small side table made of iron with a weathered oak top is priced at $140.

“Our goal is to make things affordable,” said Doyle.

The building, known as the Hennessy House, is owned by Doyle and her husband, whose finance company was formerly located there. When the company outgrew the space, the second and third floors sat vacant for one year. Now items from Kentucky fill the second floor and an art gallery on the third floor features a local artist every second Thursday.

This the first business venture for Doyle and McGovern and they say other local businesses have been very helpful.

“Stephanie and Mary from Pretty Funny and Hank from Hank’s Alley have been giving us advice and sending us customers and we are doing the same for them,” said McGovern. “We think our store is a nice addition to the area because you have to travel quiet a distance to find items like this.”

Henessey Home Accents works with decorators and individuals and is open Thursday – Sunday from 11- 5 and by appointment. Call (914) 631-2068 for more information.