Vignettes' Last Stand a Show of Solidarity

The items on display Sunday on Waverly Way in Montgomery weren’t the typical run-of-the-mill garage sale fare.

Instead, the luxury soaps and lotions, picture frames, seasonal wreaths, and decorative pillows lining the tables were from the recently shuttered Vignettes gift and home decor shop in Yorkville.

For former Vignettes owner Phyllis Keller, closing the boutique in March after taking another job opportunity she couldn’t pass up was bittersweet.

“I had a great gift shop for four years and I loved every minute of it,” Keller said.

She and her husband Dave, both Yorkville residents, had decided they would slowly liquidate Vignettes while she started her new position.

But only six days into the job, Dave Keller was diagnosed with Stage Four renal cancer.

“In an absolute instant our life changed,” Phyllis Keller said.

In order to care for her husband of 30 years, she immediately quit her new job. What also fell by the wayside was the closing of Vignettes. But that’s when several business owners in the community stepped in to help.

“I turned over the keys to people, some I didn’t even know, and they packed everything up and closed the store for me,” Phyllis Keller said. “I can’t believe how gracious they were.”

Their help allowed her to focus her energies on becoming her husband’s full-time nurse, as well as coming to terms with his diagnosis.

“For the first three weeks I never stopped crying,” she said. “My sister and three girlfriends basically had to babysit me. I call them my 'Dream Team.'"

About a month ago, Dave Keller had a kidney removed. But the cancer has since spread to his lymph system. While there is no cure, there are treatment options.

In the meantime, Phyllis Keller said she and her husband “are enjoying every moment together we can.”

They are also cherishing the support they have received from their family and the community.

“My customers have turned into friends,” Phyllis Keller said. “They’ve brought meals and prayer and cards of support. There have been many a shared glass of wine and tears.”

Sunday’s garage sale also proved to be a show of support. After closing Vignettes, the Kellers had planned a future sale to liquidate the rest of the merchandise. But after the cancer diagnosis, they downsized to a smaller home with less maintenance. Their new place also didn’t have a garage, so Phyllis Keller’s sister offered to host the sale at her Montgomery home.

Jennifer Speckman, frequent Vignettes customer and friend of the Kellers, was at Sunday’s sale with her family perusing the merchandise. Vignettes was her favorite place to buy candles, and she was sad when she heard the store was closing earlier this year.

“It was such a nice, quaint place in town,” she said. “Phyllis is just so friendly and she had great products. I’m very sad it’s not in town anymore. I cried when it closed.”

Despite Sunday's sweltering heat, the day proved to be successful for the Kellers. By the midpoint of the garage sale, much of the merchandise had been sold.

“We have more tables out than stuff to sell,” Dave Keller said.

He was in high spirits, greeting customers, showing off the scar from his kidney removal to friends, and even talking about the trip he and his wife took to Boston earlier this month.

“He’s doing great,” Phyllis Keller said. “It’s almost surreal. He’s the healthiest terminal cancer patient I’ve ever seen.”