. . . . . .and I feel like we are running trying to catch up to it. So many things are happening so fast. Wonderful, amazing, fantastic, scary, exiting things. It is incredible how things happen so quickly, it all started with a phone call.
"Would you be interested in taking a look?"
Last year we purchased a small estate from a couple who had been left in charge. The estate was from a friend of hers who had also been one of her customers. You see this woman (the one left in charge of the estate), was a former antique dealer. She was left in charge of liquidating this woman's estate because she would know what to do with the antiques, their value, etc. She kept quite a lot from the estate but many of the items left were good quality and we purchased the remainder. We cleaned out the house and everyone was happy. We enjoyed talking to the couple and she seemed very knowledgable about antiques and described herself as having a "house full". He was witty, a straight shooter and an all around nice guy. He said he was working on her to clear out her stuff. "She has way too much and needs to get rid of it". She was obviously not in the same mind set, but did say that she would give us call when and if she decided to sell some things.
We had put it in the back of our minds. This past summer was extremely busy for us. One estate after another, sales, shows, etc. If you've been following along on this blog you've read all about my lack of free time.
Well . . . . .last week we get a call from the Mr. Remember me? Of course we do.
"She's finally decided that she just can't sort through everything that she has, her health is failing and we want to sell the house. Do you want to come and take a look?"
So, we arrive at the house late one evening. It is dark, many of the lights don't work in the house but what we can see, we don't believe. It is all very dream like and a bit overwhelming. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We talk about all of the details with Mr. Timelines, money, etc. He needs to talk it over with her and with his daughter who is the only living relative. We'll talk the next day.
We are just excited beyond belief. If this really happens, where on earth are we going to put this stuff? There's so much of it. Do we rent storage? What to do? Will it really happen? Do we . . . . . open a second store?
We have been wanting to open a second store for about a year. We've tossed the idea around as one of those things we will do "someday". We have storage that is already full, items we haven't even displayed. We had an auction this summer and sold some of it but there's still a lot. It would be nice to have a second store so we could actually display it all. We had even gone so far as to look at retail locations.
Neither of us slept much that night. The next morning we both start doing a little research, storage, truck rental, who can we hire to help move stuff, boxes, retail space available near our antique store. As luck would have it (luck or ?) the space that we had really liked before was available again. A business had moved in and just moved out. The location is perfect, right around the corner from our antique store, large enough for what we need, good visability, nice landlords, reasonably priced. Then it happens, Mr. lets us know, yes. It is for sure, they want us to do it. We have no time to waste. We call back on the retail space and lease it.
The work begins. We spent every available moment this past weekend at the house, sorting, packing and being amazed. This woman was an antique dealer for over 40 years. She knows her stuff. The things we are finding under the piles of paper and dust (the dust is an inch thick at least) are things you just don't find. Good things.
The ball is rolling and I'm not sure if I can catch up or if it is going to smack me awake and I'll realize this has all been a dream.
The plan is to begin moving boxes this weekend to the new store. Work there on sorting, cleaning, etc. All of our merchandise that is 1950's and newer will be at the new store. This will include all of the items we cannot adequately display now. Vinyl records, vintage clothes, books, knick knacks, Barbies, doll clothes, furniture, vintage craft items. The Main St. store will remain the antique store and will only be 1940's and older. Mostly the true antiques (100 years and older).
We have all of the shelves and store fixtures in storage. Our current hope is that we will open the new store by January. Possibly a couple of weeks before Christmas if we can to give customers an opportunity to shop during the holiday season.
It is all so unbelievable but it really is happening. Are we crazy? In this economy? Who opens a business? It is all very risky but exciting at the same time. I will continue to work at my full time job until things are running well enough (and hopefully the economy picks up) then I will be able to leave that and run the store full time.
I still can't believe this is all happening.
Wow, that sounds like Kizmet to me! You were meant to have that 2nd store, economic climate or not. What do they say, He Who Dares Wins?
I wish I was in your city, state and country because the stores both sound amazing to me, we don't have enough good stores here in Sydney anymore. All overpriced and too well "displayed" for my liking. I like to rummage amongst the piles to find treasures myself.
Very best of luck, hope you can still find time to keep us up to date.
Hooroo,
Christine
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Christine McKenna | November 04, 2008 at 04:32 PM