For several years, I told my husband that I wanted to own a business - a booth in an antique shop. Who doesn't love a great antique shop? The smells that take you back to grandma's house. The items that sat proudly in the curio cabinet or the kitchen gadgets of the day that were stuffed into drawers.
Then one day in late 2022, we had "the talk." I told my Jeremy that I really wanted to open a booth and in his usual fashion, he said "then do it" (don't you just love him?!). And so, the planning began.
- We started visiting local malls and learned there are some long wait lists out there for booth space. Who knew?
- We started thinking of inventory... did I really have enough? where would I source for more items? how do you create a business?
The right people came into our path and Late Bloomers was born.
Then the day came in early 2023... I was so nervous. I walked into Yesterday's Treasures in Chesterton, IN with my application in hand and proudly said I'd like to open a booth here. I was quickly told they were full BUT they'd call when a space became available. So home I went surprisingly proud of myself. I did it. I took the first step. I think I needed that breathing room to know it would happen soon and to begin preparing for the big day to come.
To my surprise, in just a couple of weeks we got the call! A space had opened up. We ran over, viewed the space, signed the paperwork and paid our rent + security deposit. It's kind of like getting an apartment you know.
That was 1 year ago and what a year it's been! I've loved it, hated it (on the hot 100 degree days when we're loading/unloading an enclosed trailer full of treasures). Inventory slowly took over the garage, then parts of the house.
What did my husband think, you might ask? He thought I was crazy and supported me fully. He's the muscle in this operation, he's the strategist, and my sounding board when I have another new idea. He never thought he'd be cleaning furniture in the garage in the hottest of summer days or helping stage items in the shops. But he does it and never complains. Truth is, he even likes it.
Year 1 was our year of learning - through every holiday, every auction and vendor night, every conversation with customers and vendors... it's all been about the learning curve.
As we go into year 2, we now have not 1, but 2 booths! Late Bloomers can be found in Yesterday's Treasures in Chesterton, IN and Crown Antiques in Crown Point, IN (Vendor #15). And, in a few weeks, we'll be opening another booth at Yesterday's Treasures. And, I can't neglect to mention we just opened our online store. This is such an amazing adventure and we're meeting the greatest people.
Thank you for joining us along the journey!
Love and rolling pins,
Melissa