Here we go on our very first post, as we learn the ropes of this wonderful world called 'Blog'. Lorie and I have leaped eagerly into the next new biz adventure and store front, with the abandon of really thinking we actually know what we are doing...AGAIN...we have both owned antique shops for a total of 15 years and have watched the trends come and go and our own personal styles develop into what makes our shops what they are.
Waiting for the perfect building to come along, we found the gem... a turn of the century storefront in the historic downtown of Muscatine, Iowa (the lost continent). Muscatine was called the Pearl of the Mississippi because of it's thriving pearl button industry. Mark Twain noted the most beautiful sunsets in our fair city as he traveled the river.
Our building was recently purchased by a local developer, who buys old buildings and restores them to their original splendor, turning the apartments into beautiful condos with river views. We were lucky enough to catch him before the project started so we could play on the look we needed of a well-worn, old river city mercantile. We have crumbling plaster with brick showing through, tin ceilings with peeling paint in the palest of garden green AND an indoor waterfall (when it rains)...we ARE getting a new roof soon!!! Our beautiful display windows are right out of the downtown Chicago era, with tiny black and white checked marble in the entryway. The building is painted pink and the paint is peeling just the way we like it and we hope that we can make it work with his plans for the building...PLEASE TOM...
We will soon have pictures to show you the progress AND the mess. We also have a website that is being reworked...so stay in touch...we're back...
Sharon "where is she now Wilson"
