Ida & Norma’s Draperies Inc., a Spokane Valley-based window treatment store, is changing ownership.

Elena Graeber is acquiring the store from Steve Rile after working for Ida & Norma’s for 17 years. She has been the business manager for the past 10 years. 

Graber says the ownership transition will be official on Jan. 1, and the company will operate as ECG Ventures Inc., doing business as Ida & Norma’s Draperies.

Ida & Norma’s was formed in 1978 after longtime friends Ida Rile and Norma Lesher left their jobs in the drapery department at a now-closed Montgomery Ward department store to start their own company.

Ida’s son, Steve Rile, purchased the business from his mother in 2000, according to Graeber.

Graeber says Rile had been discussing retirement for the past 10 to 12 years. He always had said he wanted to sell it to an employee who would keep the same business name and company legacy and reputation intact.

“I’ve always been interested in doing that, and the opportunity came up, and here we are,” Graeber says.

Ida & Norma’s has seven employees, including designers, installers, a seamstress, and a blind-repair technician.

“Everybody who is here will continue to work for me,” Graeber says. “So nothing is changing except for the ownership.”

Graeber declines to disclose the terms of the purchase agreement.

The company is located in about 2,800 square feet of space at 9514 E. Montgomery, in Spokane Valley.