Welcome to the shit show: A newbies guide to "The Market"

"The Shit Show"  That's what we affectionately call the first 2 hours of "The Market" on Thursday morning and...pretty much all day Saturday. Here's the deal...This period of time during the market is not for you if you...
A.  Generally just don't like people.
B.  Are at all (even slightly) claustrophobic.
C.  Have any ounce of respect for your own personal bubble.
D.  Value your life.
E.  All of the above.

In short... it's busy.  Really...really busy.  Now, if risking life and limb for a dresser isn't necessarily your deal... then we have some days for you too.  Here's a little breakdown of what you can expect when you come to "The Market".

Pre-market:

As our vendors start bringing in new items for the next "Market", we start posting teaser pics.  As a general rule we typically don't post dimensions and/or prices prior to opening.  I know...I know...dick move not cool.  Here's the deal...we would just rather you come in and see the piece in person rather than just "window shop" via the inter-webs. 

Pre-sales:

Ummmm...no.  It's nothing personal...we just don't like to incite riots.  Riots = bad for business.

Though we appreciate some of the generous offers we have received to sell an item before the market...we like to give everyone a fair chance.  If we post an item that is coming in for "The Market", and then someone shows up early and waits in line (yes...Thursday mornings there is a line) to be one of the first ones in the door so they can hopefully get said item only to find out that said item they just stood in line for is gone...No Bueno.   So yea...

The doors are open...now what?

I'll save you all the boring stuff.  Here is cheaters cliff notes version...

A.  If you like to take your time and shop around, maybe take a couple laps around the shop, Fridays and Sundays are going to be your best bet (Thursday afternoon isn't even that bad).  If you want first dibs on all the new stuff or if there was a particular item you saw online that you really want...Thursday morning and Saturday morning is your best bet.  Or, maybe your just one of those that likes to watch amateur videos of fiery car crashes and natural disasters on You Tube.  Thursday morning at "doors open"... that's definitely your jam

B.  We start taking orders over the phone at 10:00 am Thursday morning.  So if there is something you really want but cant make it in because you're out of sick days and your boss isn't gonna buy the old "My car wont start" excuse again... you can call and do a CC over the phone and we will hold it for you until you can pick it up.  Keep in mind that during "The Shit Show" we have 3-4 registers going, and 3-4 people just answering questions, hauling furniture out, and trying to re-stage areas as stuff sells so it doesn't look like we just got looted, and the whole main level of the shop has so many people packed in it looks like we're herding sheep. 

So...yea...we may not be able to get back to you right away.

C.  We re-stock every night during "The Market" so we have new items every day.  Yep...that pretty much cover Sub-Section "C".

D.  Each month about 90% of our inventory is new.  We have a specific color palette we work off that changes every month and as if that wasn't enough...we don't allow any furniture to stay more than 2 markets (and that's assuming that it fits into the next month's color palette).  So that means that there is a  pretty really good chance that if there is an item you are "thinking" about...it's not going to be there next month.  If it doesn't sell it will more than likely get pulled out.  Our goal is to have a fresh look and create a unique shopping experience every time you come into the store.  Because let's be honest... we want you to come back each month.  If you come back next month and see the same stuff you saw last month...what's the point?  Not cool man...not cool.

So there you have it!  Welcome to "The Market" @ 3:17!

-Mike

Color Palettes... The method to the madness

Starting in March we are introducing a new feature to "The Market" each month... color palettes.  Color palettes have been bouncing around in the back of my head for some time now.  The idea is simple... choose a different color palette each month consisting of 4-6 paint colors paired with specific wood tones and metal tones.  Actually pulling it all together... now that's a little more difficult. 

Let me break it down...

-We have 28 vendors bringing stuff in every month...17 of which bring in furniture and décor pieces.  That's 17 people, with 17 different styles, with 17 different "go to" colors/ looks that everyone likes to use. 
-In addition to that, we are set up in an 1850's 2 story house that has 10 rooms that all have walls in them that have to coordinate with the color palette. 
-Then we have seasonal considerations to take into account.  I mean, let's be honest...you can't have coral in your color palette during the middle of winter...that's just weird.  There is a time and a place for every color, and we have to find it. 
-Of course there's you...the customer.  I have to choose colors that "I think" you all would like and that I think would sell.
-And last but not least...the feel of the shop.  It's no secret that I like to keep a neutral palette.  It's our own personal style so of course I am naturally drawn to that, but I also think it just stages better.  Our shop has always been the neutral shop and I'm OK with that.  In fact...I like it!  So now, a shop that has always prided itself on staying more neutral is now introducing color and having to do so in a way that still maintains the overall feel we want, and have always tried to achieve as a shop. 

So basically... If you're going to introduce color palettes... don't fuck screw it up.  No pressure right?

Now the big question... why? 

About a year ago I first approached our vendors with this idea (we'll get to that in a bit).  I was in the shop staging the main room one night.  As vendors were bringing in new inventory that week I was already setting aside pieces in my mind that I was going to use in the main room.  The time came and I was setting up.  I started staging the window wall in the main room and it just wasn't coming together.  I had 6 different pieces of "white" furniture from 5 different vendors that didn't look good together.  The problem was that those 5 different vendors use 5 different brands of paint with 5 different "whites".  Separately, they were all phenomenal pieces... staged together it was a cluster fuck hot mess.  The different "whites" didn't work together at all.  They were just far enough off from each other that it just looked like a mistake...like we decided to throw in the towel on that wall and say "screw it...good enough."  Some people might have just left it and been fine with it.  Some people may have moved some stuff around, re-staged it, and never thought twice about it again.  But for me...it got me thinking.  If I was having that many problems staging 1 wall with a few different pieces...what about our customers?  What happens when they buy a few pieces from the shop only to get them home and find out that they just don't work together?  That's not ok...not to me.

The big presentation...

About a month after the "great staging debacle of 2015" I called a meeting with all our main furniture vendors.  I was set...I had some color palettes picked out, color chips cut and organized, poster boards made, etc...  I had this whole presentation worked out (Side note: I'm kind of a nerd).  I cooked up some food, got them hopped up on some wine, and...here we go...time to present the idea.

Lets just say...it didn't go over well.

I was met with blank stares which meant they were either paralyzed with a WTF type of confusion -or- they were daydreaming of ways to kill me in my sleep.  To be honest...I didn't blame them.  I wasn't ready yet.  It needed to be more thought out, more deliberate, more purposeful.  It needed to be the right time and it wasn't.  We weren't ready yet.

Why now?

Fast forward a year later.  We're in a pretty comfortable place as a shop.  Business is good.  We've had pretty consistent growth over the past couple years.  We've got a pretty solid customer base that continues to grow.  So why change?  Why fix it if it ain't broken?  Well... if you wait for it to break...it's usually too late.  Comfortable is a scary place to be.  If you get too comfortable, you get complacent.  If you become complacent, you lose your edge.  You should always push to do more...push to be better.  One of the struggles has always been how to appeal to new customers as well as stay relevant to our return customers... our "regulars".  Once we get them in the door...how do we keep them coming back when there are seemingly endless options for other vintage shops around town?  Well...sometimes you've got to shake it up a bit. 

So now I've had year to think about, plan it, fine tune it, revise it, throw it out, plan it again, and fine tune it some more.  We've got a group of vendors that I know can pull it off.  And... I started to see us getting a little too comfortable...a little too complacent.  Making the switch to "occasional" was kind of the little push that got the ball rolling on this again.  One of the things, the "rules", in the shop now that we are occasional is no furniture pieces can be in the shop more than 2 months.  Even then...not every piece that makes it through the first month without selling is guaranteed a spot at the table for a second month... we need to keep it looking fresh every month.  That was one of the hang ups in implementing the color palette before.  If we are constantly switching color palettes then we would constantly be repainting pieces that didn't sell.  But now, with the new format, if it doesn't sell...it needs to get pulled out or re-painted regardless.  So...if we want to implement the color palette idea...now is the time.

So...how does it work?   

Here's the deal.  We've got 4-6 paint colors we are working off of with each new color palette...

Side note:  Sherwin Williams has an amazing online tool that enables you to upload any photo into the program and it will generate a color palette for you in the closest possible crossover Sherwin Williams colors.

The SW Highly Reflective White and SW Cityscape will be consistent through all the color palettes each month. 

That will make things a little easier for everyone.  That means that any furniture painted in those colors has a chance to make it through to next months try-outs.  And...it makes it a little easier on us since we are repainting the shop walls to coordinate with the color palette too!  Majority of the shop will be painted in the 2 main colors.  Then...we will have a feature wall in each room that will change each month to help pull together the color palette in that room.  Our 2 feature wall colors this month will be SW Angora and SW Gray Matters.

Not all rooms will be painted the same combo which will be kind of cool.  You're going to get a different look in each room.  In some rooms you might have darker furniture up against the lighter white or blush wall.

Some will have lighter furniture up against a darker grey wall...

And then there will be some white on white with color accents...

In addition to the paint colors, we have chosen gold, brass, and copper metal tones to go with it...

And last but not least...medium wood tones.

And of course...we will have décor throughout that ties in the whole palette...

We're excited to share it all with you!  We will see you March 10th- 13th for "The Market"!

"The Market"... A new kind of occasional sale.

  A few month's ago we announced that we were switching our format.  Instead of being open every weekend as we had been for the last 2 years...we were switching to "occasional" which meant we would only be open 1 weekend a month.  The reason behind the switch was really pretty simple... we wanted to do more, and we wanted to do it better. 
  By switching to occasional, it would allow our vendors more time to find better quality pieces and more time to put out a better quality finish on those pieces.  It would also allow us more time to maintain the shop.  Simple stuff like just spackling and touching up the walls, pulling weeds, planting flowers, switching out lights, etc...  Stuff that just kind of falls to the bottom of the list because we were always open again in a few days and had to worry more about stuff like...you know...getting new inventory into the store.
  In making the switch...we decided right away that we weren't ok with just being another occasional shop.  We didn't want to "just" be open 1 weekend a month, we wanted "The Market" to be more of an event each month.  We want our customers to have a unique shopping experience every time they come into our store and being occasional now allows us some unique opportunities that we simply wouldn't have if we were open every weekend.

The first of those is guest vendors...
There have always been a handful of shops and/or vendors that we have wanted to team up with.  Some are vendors that we have tried to get on our team but couldn't get them to commit to a long term deal because of prior commitments, location, etc...  Shops that we have followed religiously for years and admire from afar knowing that we will never get to work with them because...well...they have their own shop and it just wouldn't make sense to come sell with us.  And then there are some shops that we already team up with for other events that would really bring a cool feel into our shop.  Well... now that it's just one weekend...game on.  Each month we will be freeing up space for a special "guest vendor."  We are really excited for March's guest vendors...
Chipping with Charm
 

and... Signs of the Times! 

Laurel and Joan share a space at Antiques Downtown in Elk River and we have been wanting to team up with them forever!  They have an amazing style, they are staging geniuses, and they have some of the coolest salvaged and handmade items around!  If you have spent any amount of time on Pinterest...you are sure to have some of their items Pinned in your "inspiration album."  Make sure to come check out their space with us March 10th- 13th!

Also find them here...
http://chippingwithcharm.blogspot.com/
Shed Sweet Shed Boutique
https://www.pinterest.com/chippingcharm/

Next up is (*drumroll please)... Food Trucks!
I mean...who doesn't like a good food truck.  Food trucks for us are pure heaven!  With 3 boys under 5...it's pure hell not that easy to sit down at a restaurant and actually eat a meal.  You know...actually eat.  Not the kind of eating that involves shoveling food down your throat as fast as you can before 1, or all, of your kids has a melt down.  And sometimes you just need a taco...that's right...taco's!  We have one of THE best food trucks around joining us and dishing up some THE best authentic Mexican food around... The Salsa Spot.  She was a fan favorite last season and she's agreed to join us for all our Markets his year!  Even if you don't like shopping...the food is worth the drive!

Last but not least... Color Palettes!

We are really excited about this one!  In addition to bringing in truckloads of new inventory every month, we will be introducing select color palettes each month. It's just one more piece of the puzzle to give you a truly unique shopping experience every month!   Our first color palette doesn't stray too far outside of what you have come to expect from us...we're gonna kind of ease you into it. We've chosen a fairly neutral palette that touches on some hints of color and paired it with medium wood tones and gold metal accents.

Here are some pics from the inspiration board we're working off of...

We have even spent the last week completely re-painting the walls in the shop to coordinate with the color palette.  I know...crazy right!?  We are super excited to see the color palette coming together now that all the walls are repainted and we are starting to bring in all new inventory!

We can't wait to see you all at "The Market" @ 3:17!

G Designs @ {3:17} Vintage

Introducing...

Angela Rowe @ G Designs

 

So... Tell us a little about yourself...

"I'm from the south (GA). Moved to MN 3 years only temporarily, but we fell in love so we moved up here permanently 1 year ago. I have an incredibly supportive husband who also is a very strict CFO! We have 3 beautiful children, Joey Love (9), Lucas 7), and Houston (5). And the most wonderful Bernese Mountain Dog, OLIVER (besides our late Newfoundland, who was truly a gentle giant)."

"Our family loves the outdoors. We spend time snow skiing in the winter and camping and Dirt-biking in the summer along with motocross racing with our 7 year old son. We are a family that is pretty much up for trying anything, especially if there is adrenaline involved!"

How did you get into this? 

"G Designs just started in October 2014, but I've been crocheting for 17 years
I started crocheting during my time at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. I'm a recreation therapist and had patients on maternity bed rest. So to help them pass the time I taught them how to crochet baby blankets. I enjoyed it, so kept it up starting with baby blankets, baby clothes, hats and now getting into more of the fashion statement pieces."

How would you best describe your style?

"I am not really able to describe my style, but I've been told that it is BOHO CHIC!"
 

Do you have any "go to" colors?

  
"Not really!  I like to experiment with different colors and textures."
 

Where else can people find you?

 www.facebook.com/gdesignercrochet

{3:17} Vintage Furniture & Home Decor (Afton, MN)
www.facebook.com/317vintage


Just for fun...what's the first word that pops into your head?
"Hope"

Vintage Soul @ {3:17} Vintage

Introducing...

Jill Paulson @ Vintage Soul 

 

 

What are 5 things people may not know about you?

1.  "I LOVE warm weather, the beach, the sun... so living in Minnesota can be 'trying'!"
2.  "I once won an essay contest where I got to run with the Olympic torch in Italy!" 
3.  "I was on stage with Sting and shared a microphone with him singing Message in a Bottle.  I like to sing karaoke... but this was a highlight of my life!"
4.  "I enjoy volunteering with local dog rescue groups"
5.  I took control of my life about 5 years ago and decided I couldn't be "unhealthy" anymore.  I started working out and have lost and kept off 65 lbs for for years now.  I still LOVE to eat... I grew up in Northern MN where food rules so, although no food is off limits for me... I just learned to enjoy less of it.  My favorite food is pizza and coconut cream pie is my favorite dessert.  Oh...and I LOVE Lutefisk!  I am Norwegian after all."
  
 How long have you been doing this?

"About 3 1/2 years now"

 How did you get into this?

 "After getting laid of from a corporate job... I needed to think outside the box and find a new job where I could be creative.  I love shopping and was starting to see "re-purposed" items more and more.  I took a class on painting to see if I liked it and... that's it... I was hooked"

 How would you best describe your style?

"Beachy, cottage, simple, clean"

Do you have any "go to" colors?

"Blue!  You know... the color of the ocean!"

Is there a favorite piece or transformation you've done? 

"My favorite transformations are the ones where I can use reclaimed barnwood and build a beautiful new top for a piece that would have otherwise been thrown away.  Whether it be for a dresser, accent tables, or pieces that just need a little 'love'... my go to person is my husband who owns his own business ( www.heritagemantelsmn.com ).  He does all the things I can't do or don't want to do like using a saw, reinforcing pieces, etc... "

Where can people find you? 

www.facebook.com/shopvintagesoul

www.heritagemantelsmn.com

{3:17} Vintage Furniture & Home Decor (Afton, MN)

www.facebook.com/317vintage

And... just for fun... What's the first word that pops into your head? 

"Beach!  (because it -5 degrees right now) but my other word would be 'grateful.'  I am thankful to be a part of {3:17} and for all the customers who have liked what I do and have supported me along my journey."