I’ve danced around this a little bit on Insta and have been meaning to get this out there for a couple of weeks now – I am opening up a shop, in real life. (!!!!!) It has been in the works since early December, and then became official at the beginning of January. With so many things to get going quickly (and keeping up with the online store launches), I haven’t had the time to get all of my ideas out on ‘paper’ for you. So, I’m up early this morning to let you in on all of the fun news.
This has been something I’ve been working for (or around?) for the last 15 years. When I first quit my job this was my first business plan – a real store. My dreams were quickly snuffed with warnings of the cost of overhead. So many people will talk you out of opening up a retail store. So, I started a business out of my home instead, catering and party planning. I drummed up business the old fashioned way, handing out fliers, dropping boxes of brownies off at potential customers, email newsletters and word of mouth. That party planning business turned into a blog, that turned into an online store and 15 years later I finally feel like I’m in a place where I can safely move into a real location – let’s hope!
The location of the store is what dreams are made of, truly. I’ve walked past this store for 12 years since I first moved to the area. I’ve been regularly calling the owner for at least 6 years to “let me know if anything opens up.” In fact, last fall I looked at another location and Mike asked me if there was anywhere else that I’d rather be. This was it. He advised I hold out for the tiptop of my list. A month later I saw the for rent sign in the window.
Known as the Shops of Westwood Hills, it is a handsome row of shops that was built in the 1920’s. It is in the Kansas City area, just west of the Plaza in Westwood Hills, Kansas. (I’ll share the official address when we are officially open.)
I’ll be one of 5 businesses in the block – The Little Flower Shop, The Little Shop Next Door, Annedore’s Fine Chocolates, Hi Hat Coffee and Me. All of my new neighbors are the best of the best in Kansas City- I can’t believe that my little store will be a part of them.
You can read a recent article about the shops, here.
Hi Hat is the most adorable micro mini coffee shop in an old filling station. Why can’t gas stations be this cute today?!
I took this photo last year on a dreamy, snowy morning on my daily walk to HiHat for coffee. This is where I’ll be – around the corner all the way on the right. I share a wall with Annedore’s and it literally smells like delicious chocolate at all times of the day.
Ok, let’s get to the fun part. Here is the vision board for the new space. Not only will it be a retail space, but it will also be my creative studio. It will be a little more feminine and cottagy than our real home. I want it to be my dream space – the freshest, coziest spot ever for me to work and create. There will be a lot of the same elements from our home – same paint, lots of trim and built-ins, cream upholstery, etc. But I’ll be incorporating more of a cottagey, crafty feel.
Because all of these new visions bring new visions for my entire brand, I have been working on a new logo treatment. Nothing is final, but I love this so far. I’ll share more as I progress into a solid scheme. Have no fear about the online store going anywhere. The online store will still be my main focus. I’m hoping that the store will actually provide me with more support for the online store and free me up creatively to dream up more custom products for all of us.
This is the inside as we acquired it. I’ll be replacing the floors with wood-like flooring for a more neutral look. I really tried to work with the charming checkered floor, but I think it is just not my aesthetic – though I love it in other stores. We’ll be adding lots of woodwork and trim, built-ins and antiques.
This is the overhead layout of the space. There will be a dining area setup with a big farmable, a couple of built-in cases around the perimeter, lots of antique fixtures that I’ve had so much fun acquiring, and an open studio work space for me near the back.
I’ll share more details as we get underway – most will probably be behind the scenes looks via instagram or my email newsletter.
Our amazing builder, Noblit+Didier, (who built our house) is saving the day by squeezing me in between big projects. I can’t wait to show you how they’ve already transformed the space in just a couple of days. Their work is the best, they are just so good and professional at their craft. Thank you so much for all of the positive words of excitement for me. This is such a dream come true for me and I am savoring every minute of the process. We hope to be open in April. Gah! Can’t believe it. I’ll share some possible grand opening dates soon. Happy Weekend!!