Hello, my name is........

[CaroleAnn]

Carole Ann, obviously. This is my first time on this board, and I'm getting excited and energized. My hubby and I and getting ready to open our dream...an Antiques and Collectibles Shop. I love Cottage Style and want our store to represent this look and feeling. The location we have chosen is an old Schoolhouse that's had additions over the years. But, 11 foot ceilings and 3 separate rooms, some wood floors, and tall multi-paned windows. What I need is advice and opinions. Tell me what you like to see. What color palette, curtains or not, etc. Welcome all comments.
:D Grand Opening slated for March 1st.

[Jilliebean]

LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT!! is what I'd like to see. We have a few of those shops in our area and they tend to be dark and unfriendly.

[zuzus_garden]

Wecome, Carole Ann!

How exciting! My tiny business is online, but I started a Word doc that describes my dream brick & mortar shop. Your shop sounds very much like my dream - especially the 11 foot ceilings, wood floors, and tall multi-paned windows!

I love shops where soft, natural light pours in through the windows. Because you have three separate rooms, maybe you could decorate them to have different cottage themes, like a pastel room, a room filled with bold color, and a room w/ earth tones?

This board is full of ideas that share what we love about cottages, and the items we like most. For instance, there is the original Describe Your Dream Cottage (http://community.cottageliving.com/showthread.php?t=54&highlight=dream+cottage) post, and more dreams (http://community.cottageliving.com/showthread.php?t=477&highlight=dream+cottage) and the current one (http://community.cottageliving.com/showthread.php?t=701). You can check out the Cottage Style (http://community.cottageliving.com/forumdisplay.php?f=39) threads too.

I hope you'll post often - it's so fun to meet new people following their dreams into reality.

Zuzu

[Jenny]

Hi Carole Ann: Congratulations and hello. How wonderful that you found a nice roomy space for your business. As Zuzu pointed out, with three rooms you can create three different color schemes or focus on three types of products -- the Cottage Kitchen, The Romantic Bedroom, The Shabby Garden.

My little business is inches from going internet and this site has been very helpful and supportive with all my questions and concerns.

What I like when browsing small shops is a friendly atmosphere without feeling pushed. I like shopkeepers to be available for questions -- but I sure don't like when they follow me around the store bugging me about what I am looking for, "did I see this latest thing that they just got in, did I know that the hottest new color for the season is puce and that there is an entire puce wall right here." That's about the fastest way there is to drive me out of a store.

But a little pot of tea or an ice bucket of tiny juice bottles, a plate of cookies and a friendly smile and I will be in again and again.

Here's something to consider from the start -- if you plan to do any particular events -- a Christmas Sale, a Founder's Day Extravaganza, a Blue Monday Poetry Reading -- get a mailing list going. Keep a little registery by the cash register or the door and mention to your customers, particularly your paying customers, that you send out a mailer prior to your big festive sales and they can sign up to be included.

I also happen to like stores that "do" things. Whether it's a Tea Tasting Event or Straw Hat Day where everyone who comes in wearing a straw hat get's 10% off -- seems to me that stores like that actually like me as a customer.

Those are my stray marbles. I hope youll come back often and give us updates and share your insights.

Warmly,

[sjfroh]

Welcome and congratulations!!!!!!
This must be very exciting for you. When you're done, please come back and post pictures! I'd love to see.

[C'est Chouette]

CaroleAnn,
Congrats on your dream coming to life. I love to shop at any antique shop, but the ones I love the most look like little boutiques with cozy nooks and crannies. I also like shopping in light colors and natural lights, it helps these aged eyes. The smell of gourmet coffee is always helpful. but water is often nice. The thing I hate the most is when the customer seems to be invading on the owner, like the costomer is inconvienient. I was alway careful not to be doing books, or holding employee meeting during "open" hours. I don't think a customer needs to be followed around, but every once in awhile a little contact is nice. I always liked to "unburden" my customer by setting the items they have already chosen in a safe spot behind the counter so that htey can continue to look...
Jenny....love your stray marbles
Sharon