Small Goods Store Opens on Kensington Row

Surrounded by stores known for their collections of antiques and rare, aged finds, Eva Jimenez is selling a range of brand-new house wares with no hint of the past. 

Home Works, 7,500 square feet of small gifts, lamps, paper products and "home accessories," will appeal to the new families moving to Kensington, said Jimenez, owner and 20-year resident of the town. 

"Sometimes you want to buy something and you don't want to go to the mall," she explained. "Something new that's not really expensive and they can have a gift for their friends, or maybe they like a lamp and they can't find it in antique so they buy it new."

Home Works will be Jimenez's first retail effort after spending the last several years helping out at her husband's Bethesda paper work shop, where the couple crafts custom wedding invitations. While she loves that side of the business, Jimenez said she wanted to open a store to do what she really loves, which is work with people. 

"I like to work with the community," Jimenez said. "I like people; I like dealing with people."

The store is located at 3740 Howard Ave. in Kensington. Regular hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m.