All Good Things Must Come to an End

It was 6 years ago this coming Mother's Day that Cheryl and I, with our husbands, first looked inside this corner building in Buffalo. We had been selling in other people's stores for three years, and before that, had held 6 outside home sales. We knew it was sink or swim time for our junk business. We either had to take the leap and start our own store, or light a match.

We'd already looked at several other buildings and locations, when the building owner said, "How about the corner space?" The space was being used as a teenage music venue and was painted completely black, with posters and holes all over the walls. There was even a stage at one end.

But because Cheryl and I have trained ourselves to see potential in the ugly, the downtrodden...we noticed the afternoon sunshine streaming in, we noticed the 11 foot ceilings, we liked the redone bathrooms...and when we saw there was a back room, and even a basement...our wheels were turning. The other bonus was that the building owner had to bring it back to rent-able status...we could just come in and do the fun stuff, not have to re-create the wheel.

It all fell into place at the perfect timing, just like all the other stages of this business had gone for us.

Our husbands and kids kicked into high gear and helped us build backdrops and checkout counters, repainted signs, and priced merchandise. The kids took breaks at the beach and the movie theater, and we had pizza and chinese food to sustain ourselves. It was a blast, and we created lifelong memories.

  

  

  

We've had 5 1/2 years of adventures finding junk and recreating and refreshing it. Our kids have grown up on this family business, and it's been wonderful for them. They've learned to work hard, be creative and thrifty. They've been able to have their mom's home most of the time, but also knew their moms have work priorities, too. We've developed so many friendships with other dealers and shop owners, and treasure the relationships we've developed with all our contributors and customers.

  

(No, junking does not require makeup and nice clothes!)

This May Occasional will be our 69th Occasional as Patina General in Buffalo! 

We've had a blast, but we're tired...and we're still friends (and thankfully still married)! The kids are in a new stage of life, and therefore we can try something new, too.

We're so thankful for the inspiration we've been able to share with all of you and thankful for your loyalty to Patina General. We feel so blessed that God kept us and our customers safe these past 5 1/2 years, and that He has been glorified through this little business.

(Boy, this business has aged us;)

We're planning on continuing to blog, so we'd love if you keep in touch with your comments. We've got a whole list of home projects we're ready to tackle, and know we'll continue being the same creative, homey-type ladies we've always been. We'll keep you posted on where life leads us next, too.

We hope you can join us for our last Occasional. The store will be as full and beautiful as ever, and you'll get the bonus of sale prices being on everything, too. We'd love if you'd sign our "Goodbye" poster, and even share a special memory or piece you bought from us. 

May 13, 14, Fri, Sat. 9-5 will be our store closing sale. All the contributor items will be gone, and we'll be selling backdrops, stuff in the rough, all season merchandise, fabrics, and anything else we can clear out from our basements and garages. It will not be pretty...but it will be fun...and cathartic. There will be a minimum for credit card purchases.

Stay tuned for tomorrows regularly scheduled Occasional post!

 

 

Comments

[Elisabeth]

So excited for you as you enter this new season! I will treasure my Patina days, always!

[Lora Bloomquist]

Thanks, sweet Elisabeth!

[Cheryl Jarl]

Glad we aren't doing a before/after pic of us. This biz has aged us a bit ;)

[Laurie]

Will surely miss shopping your beautiful,creative store! Wishing you the best in the next chapter! Glad to hear you still plan to blog! Love your inspiring projects as well as your uplifting posts of family life, community, decorating and entertaining.

[Lora Bloomquist]

Thanks, Laurie!

[judy]

Im so sorry you are closing. I did'nt know you have a blog. Please sign me up. Some of the occasional shops are becomming more like flea markets, but you have remained true to the vintage style. I will miss you!

[Lora Bloomquist]

Thanks, Judy! You can subscribe to our blog in the right hand margin. We'll keep posting, and you can sit and read 5 1/2 years of inspiration of old posts when you've got the time!