All Entries Tagged With: "shopping"
Ferguson created a “Better Block.” What now?
Ah, the joys of a flea market! Could this be the next big thing in Ferguson?
Well, the Better Block Project came and went this weekend, drawing a steady stream of visitors to downtown Ferguson. Several temporary businesses and sidewalk vendors sprouted up for the day, including my own little antique store, Raw, which nearly sold out! Thank to you all the NOCO fans who came to shop. It was so great to meet you and to send you home with some fun new treasures!
Many of you asked me if I plan to open a real store in the future, and for the time being the answer is no. But I have to say, I did find the whole experience super enjoyable and now I’m inspired to keep the ball rolling…
When I lived in Los Angeles, one of my favorite haunts was the Rose Bowl Flea Market, a massive monthly event that draws upward of 15,000 shoppers. Just like our own Gypsy Caravan here in St. Louis, the Rose Bowl hosts hundreds of independent vendors selling an absolutely staggering variety of furniture, antiques, vintage clothing and handmade items. High-end decorators shop there. So do artists, Hollywood set designers and all manner of people looking for great deals on unique and recycled finds.
Over its 40-year-history, the Rose Bowl Flea Market has become a true destination, not to mention a powerful economic driver for the city of Pasadena. It allows regular people who can’t afford to open a shop the perfect venue for selling their items – a particular boon during this changing economy. More importantly, it’s a blast!
Flea markets bring communities together and encourage people to get creative (and go green) rather than always buying something brand new. Which is why I’m just gonna jump right in and say it….I think it’s time for a flea market in Ferguson!
Sure, the idea has been kicked around before but it has never really gained any traction. Apparently some residents think it might “junk up” the area and attract the “wrong” kind of people, which of course is bunk. Properly organized, with an emphasis on antiques and artisan items, a monthly flea market could be a HUGE success, drawing an eclectic mix of shoppers from all over the St. Louis area, including folks who would probably never come to North County otherwise.
Those people will eat at our restaurants, see our beautiful neighborhoods and hopefully go away with a more positive view of Ferguson. It’s a win-win. So what do you think, NOCO fans? I’m in if you are! I’ll even volunteer to organize the flea market, just as long as the city green-lights it.
If you have any interest in being a potential vendor, please leave a comment below or shoot me an email at shannon@NOCOstl.com with “flea market” in the subject line. I’d just like to gauge the general interest before I actually start to dive in. Thanks again!
Get your vintage fix in Ferguson…this Saturday only!
NOCO fans, you may recall that I wrote about the Better Block Project a few weeks ago. That’s the one-day event in which a handful of businesses will suddenly sprout up in downtown Ferguson, representing all kinds of fun possibilities for new economic activity.
As I said before, two lanes of Florissant Road will be closed down, allowing for sidewalk vendors, kids’ games and live music. What I didn’t mention is that I will be hosting a store myself!
For 25 years, my husband and I have been avid collectors of vintage and antique items, and to tell you the truth, we’re just plain full up. When we heard about Better Block, we knew right away that we wanted to participate. So lo and behold, we’ve spent the past week creating an antique store, loading up one of the old art studios at 27 S. Florissant with an eclectic mix of unique treasures.
Our store is called “Raw” because, frankly, we like to collect items that are a little rough around the edges. If you’re looking for fine antiques in perfect condition, you will be disappointed. But if you’re an artist looking for materials and inspiration, or a creative soul who needs a project, or just someone who appreciates character and a nice old patina, you will LOVE what we have to offer.
Within our store you’ll find furniture, original artwork, architectural salvage, vintage fabric, industrial light fixtures, glass terrariums, and a ton of wonderful paper goods that are just waiting to be framed, collaged or scrapbooked. Many of these items are projects I had hoped to complete myself one day, but if I haven’t used them yet, I never will. So it’s time to share the love and send all this creative potential out into the world.
Raw is essentially set up like a real store, but since it will only be open one day, my prices will be closer to what you might find at a nice estate sale. So bring your cash and get ready to buy! I definitely don’t want to haul this stuff back home.
When you’re done shopping, be sure to check out my Better Block neighbors: Creative Exchange Lab, Kickball’s Comics, Northern Arts Council, and the Klein Family Science Museum. Parking will be available across the street or behind the Savoy.
The Better Block Project runs from 10am to 10pm on Saturday, October 15, between Carson and Adams on S. Florissant Road. Raw is located inside 27 S. Florissant.
By the way, please no early birds…
Honey’s Sweet Treats aims to inspire local youth
Honey Garnett (7th from left) recently opened Honey's Sweet Treats, a Ferguson candy shop that will also serve as a reading room for local youth.
For close to 18 years, Constance “Honey” Garnett has owned Taste of Honey, a successful hair salon in downtown Ferguson. But when a vacant storefront became available next door, this Florissant resident decided to follow her passion and launch a second business: Honey’s Sweet Treats, a candy shop with a mission.
Aided by her sister, Stephanie Hemphill, Garnett founded a nonprofit called the Prema Donnas, which works with local girls to inspire confidence and a commitment to education. Her candy shop will be the organization’s new headquarters, serving as a youth reading room and safe haven for learning and discussion. It will also be a meeting space for adult groups, including Women of the New Millennium, which focuses on community building and service.
“God placed it upon my heart to open this shop,” Garnett says. “My goal is to help as many kids as we can, and to let them know that they’re safe and welcome here. We want to get them excited about reading.”
Honey’s Sweet Treats, which offers a kids’ lending library and a wide selection of affordable candy, will be staffed by volunteers comprised of Garnett’s friends and family. It’s open Monday through Saturday 10am to 7pm and is located at 301 S. Florissant Road, 63135. For more info, call (314) 522-2333.
You can also get more details on the Prema Donnas by emailing premadonnas@yahoo.com or calling Stephanie Hemphill at (314) 369-3904.
Used furniture store opens at Jamestown Mall
Growing up next door to Jamestown Mall, I’ve always been intrigued by the cavernous Stix, Baer & Fuller building, which has been vacant since Dillard’s closed its doors there in 2006. In recent years that entire wing of the mall was even closed off, making it unlikely that any new businesses would be moving in. So what I found today was a nice surprise….
I happened to be driving by Jamestown and noticed a new sign. As it turns out, a company named Central States Liquidation has moved into the old Dillard’s. And boy, do they have an interesting mix of inventory…
The owner, Frank Marsala, buys out large lots of used furniture, primarily from upscale hotels like Hilton and Sheraton. He also picks up odd bits here and there, so you’ll find restaurant equipment, artwork, mirrors, lamps, retail display cabinets, office furniture, televisions, “wine lockers” and even five-foot chandeliers in his sprawling new store. So far, Marsala is just using the main floor at Dillard’s but he says he has so much inventory that the basement is quickly filling up too.
In business for four years, Central States used to operate out of semi trucks and sell their goods on craigslist and eBay. Today, the company still advertises online but they’re hoping to draw a larger customer base now that they have a permanent storefront.
Marsala says he gets new goodies at least twice a week, sourced from all over the country. And I have to say, most of his stuff is in very nice shape. This is not a roomful of broken, stained junk, like a lot of hotel/motel liquidators have, but rather an eclectic showcase of quality items with great potential. You never know what you’ll find.
Here’s a neat item I saw today, a dramatic four-poster bed. I would totally paint it black…
And then, of course, there’s this: a rare view of one of Jamestown Mall’s fantastic concrete sculptures. Unless you visit Central States and peek through the glass doors to the mall, this modern beauty is no longer visible to the public….
Central States Liquidation is located at #400 Jamestown Mall, 63034. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.
