A Louisville staple for more than 50 years, Dee's is closing

We can almost hear the united gasp of dismay as Louisville learns the news that Dee's is closing for good.

A staple for Kentucky Derby hats and decor, seasonal home trimmings, craft supplies, and more, the St. Matthews store, 5045 Shelbyville Road, has been in business for more than half a century. Dee's Louisville is part of the fabric of the community, which makes it hard to believe that Kathy and Larry Olliges, owners of Dee's, have decided it's time to close the doors.

"It's with mixed emotions that after 52 years in business, we are announcing our retirement and the closing of Dee's," the owners said in an email that was sent to customers Tuesday. "We are planning to spend more time with our children and grandchildren, especially during holidays, travel more, spend more time with friends, and maybe even enjoy some Derby festival events."

The Ollinges aren't kidding about wanting to attend Kentucky Derby events. A month before the 149th Kentucky Derby, the Courier Journal spent the day at Dee's Louisville and witnessed the store's booming custom-made Derby hat business.

While working on a glamorous pink fascinator, Kathy looked up from her work and said, "We're just trying to get a hat on everybody's head."

Kathy Olliges, co-owner of Dee's, 5045 Shelbyville Road, works on a customer's fascinator for the Kentucky Derby
Kathy Olliges, co-owner of Dee's, 5045 Shelbyville Road, works on a customer's fascinator for the Kentucky Derby

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The Olliges, who employ dozens of seasonal employees to fulfill orders for hundreds of hats and fascinators each season, told us they are so exhausted by the time Derby Day arrives, they spend the day on their backyard deck recovering from months of nonstop work.

"The 30 days before the Derby are our busiest days of the year, by far," Kathy said. "Hats have become a huge part of our business."

What is the history of Dee's in Louisville?

Family-owned Dee's Louisville, 5045 Shelbyville Road sells fashions, gifts, accessories, home decor and lots of hats and fascinators for the Kentucky Derby
Family-owned Dee's Louisville, 5045 Shelbyville Road sells fashions, gifts, accessories, home decor and lots of hats and fascinators for the Kentucky Derby

It wasn't always that way. Dee's began as a tiny 400-square-foot consignment gift shop in 1970, next to the old Vogue Theatre on Lexington Road. Back then it was owned by two sisters, one of whom was named Dee. In 1973, Kathy Olliges's parents, Bob and June Vogelsberg, bought Dee's and moved the store to Chenoweth Square in St. Matthews.

This was the first in a chain of stores that grew to six neighborhood stores in different areas of Louisville.

"We've had a lot of different names since the 1970s. It's been Dee's Crafts and Gifts, Dee's Crafts and Design, Dee's Crafts, Design and Frames," Kathy said previously. "We attracted a lot of people for craft demos and make-it-and-take-it events and that's probably why people still refer to the store as Dee's Crafts even though we don't carry crafts anymore."

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In 1989, Dee's moved its flagship store to its current location across from the Mall St. Matthews. Eventually, the family-owned business dropped crafts and framing from its inventory. They also dropped crafts from the store's name. Today, Dee's carries gifts, fashion, home decor and seasonal items which each spring includes lots and lots of hats and millinery supplies.

"We want to thank the hundreds of team members who have worked at Dee's and The Framing Express over the years," said Larry in an email. "Your hard work and dedication have made Dee's what it is today. We are especially grateful to our current team which has survived the challenges (COVID pandemic) of the last few years to make Dee's better than it ever has been."

What to know about Dee's Louisville closing sale

Family-owned Dee's Louisville, 5045 Shelbyville Road sells fashions, gifts, accessories, home decor and lots of hats, fascinators and millinery supplies for the Kentucky Derby
Family-owned Dee's Louisville, 5045 Shelbyville Road sells fashions, gifts, accessories, home decor and lots of hats, fascinators and millinery supplies for the Kentucky Derby

Olliges also thanked all of Dee's customers who have shopped at Dee's for the last 52 years adding, "We are grateful for your patronage and we will miss seeing you in our store."

Dee's will be closed Wednesday, May 31 to get ready for its Retirement Sale. The store will reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1 for the first day of the sale. Customers can check the store's Facebook page for more details about the store closing.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Dee's Louisville to close after 50+ years of service