stores we love
Greenwood Nestled in the smal l, rural town of Greenwood, we consider this store a beautiful — and fun — hidden gem! As Time Goes By
Kris: Eclectic and reasonably priced. We have two floors ranging from primitives to retro, painted and unpainted furniture, a great man cave with old tools and fishing gear, windows, architectural pieces, and a lot of crusty goodness piled outside. VKC: Describe your favorite pieces in your own home, the ones you could never sell. Kris: I have a harvest table my husband made from reclaimed oak and an upright piano my kids learned to play when they were young. VKC: What is the biggest item you’ve ever sold? The most expensive? Kris: This piece also qualifies as the heaviest. It was a tremendous, ex- quisitely painted buffet (by Studio 1404) that sold within two hours. VKC: What is your business philosophy? Kris: Keep it light-hearted and inviting; work hard, but make it look easy; and show customers they’re appreciated. VKC: What experience do you hope your customers have in your store? Kris: A fabulous experience! I want each visitor to love our store and return regularly! VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do? Kris: I’ve met some amazing people, and have had some amazing ex- periences. I never knew owning an antique store would be so much fun and the people so warm and genuine. I love it! VKC: What other stores do you love? Kris: My six Greenwood neighbors, Studio1404 (West Bottoms), Senti- mental Journey (Olathe), Timeless Treasures (Claycomo), and Lawrence Antique Mall.
VKC: How long have you been into vintage? Kris: Since my early 20s. VKC: What got you started?
Kris: I was very frugal (think broke college kid) and filled my first apartment with mid-century furniture I’d inherited from my grand- mother. Blonde furniture with avocado upholstery ... yum! VKC: When did you decide to open your own business and why? Kris: Four years ago the owners of As Time Goes By were relocating and asked if we’d be interested. We thought how hard can this be? While it’s a lot of work, it’s way more fun than I’d ever imagined! VKC: What advice do you have for amateur pickers? Kris: Buy what you like, unique items are always popular, and look at pieces with a creative eye. Can it be used for a different purpose? VKC: What are your favorite pieces to buy? Kris: Furniture with character, vintage light fixtures, crusty metal pieces like tool boxes, ceiling tin tiles, outdoor furniture, buckets and anything unusual. VKC: What is your favorite furniture refinishing technique right now? Kris: We now carry a line of chalk enhanced paints, Mother Earth Paints, that has become wildly popular. It paints any surface smoothly and we have more than 20 colors. I’m currently coveting shades of blue finished with a dark wax. VKC: How do you choose vendors for your store? Kris: I call it, “choosing team players with diversified junque.” VKC: How would you describe the style of the items in your store?
VintageKC / Spring 2014 44
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online