But I'm not gonna lie, the tireless work on the brick & mortar plans, reselling, this blog, the antique store booths, and my freelance gigs have burned me out. Four strong cups of tea and a cappuccino is the rocket fuel keeping me furiously typing this article for you! To ease the pain during a numbers-crunching session last week we took a break to explore our local Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
The innovative staging ideas and vignettes stuffed full of merchandise were food for the artist's soul.
We soaked up the visuals like sponges, eager to make our shop a destination and an experience like these two retail giants are known to be.
But our shop will be better! With real hand-picked vintage. And local art. And coffee. Robots are vital, too. It's fun to look away from the piles of paperwork and statistical data and let the creativity flow. It all started with a dream; let's dream on.
What's your dream store like? What are your vintage/thrifty plans and goals?
I want to have a place in your shop to hang out and work :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the "cafe" part of the plan has diminished a bit as we've plotted, but we definitely want a hang out and work place!
Deleteanthro is always always so perfect! a cafe would be really interesting!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is. That reminds me, I forgot to link to a post I wrote about staging your antiques like the pros at anthro: http://www.thriftcore.com/2011/02/antique-store-wisdom-stage-your-booth.html
DeleteMy dream would be an exposed brick/rafters/cement floor mid mod industrial store full of amazing mid century furniture, Pyrex, and mod garments that would translate seamlessly into today's style.
ReplyDeleteWow! I almost wrote a mission statement for my store right there!
I had been wondering about your brick and mortar shop. Glad you gave an update. Can't wait to see the progression of this project!
That sounds wonderful! I think we need to emulate that a bit ;)
DeleteYep, we're still working on it. Finding the right location takes longer than any of us anticipated!
I'll try to write more about our progress.
Hi Van
ReplyDeletehope to visit your shop someday...I'm not sure I want a shop but I think the idea of organizing a pop-up flea is pretty cool and today I read about a couple who is starting an indoor, juried weekend flea market in Portland, Maine. I think this is kind of a cool concept and I love the name it's called Portland flea-for-all. good luck with your plans!
Oh,I love that idea too! We're encouraging people to take pilgrimages to the shop once it's open. We'll even act as travel guides and tell visitors the best places to visit in Florida ;)
Deletesounds like another potential website!
DeleteWucha talkin' 'bout Vlad? :) What would make a good potential site, the B&M?
DeleteIt's not quite my dream shop--would like a bigger space-- but I did just take the plunge...now in the second week.... I am proud! And tired!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds accurate, it is exhausting beyond words! I know first hand. Congratulations on your big first steps, it's so hard!
DeleteI would love to open a brick and mortar shop that features both vintage AND handmade. I've been trying to get my organic cotton knit baby hats into boutique stores around here, but I've been unsuccessful - they say not enough people browse for new baby gifts, they ususally know what they want and buy it from a box store. But I dream of having a place for other indie makers and resellers!
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