Antique Shop Owner Interview No. 2 = Hand Pickin Emporium
1:34 PM
Happy Sunday friends. Hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather is certainly beginning to feel like fall around here and we are loving it. We were able to get out this weekend to a small town festival and car show. As usual we ate to much junk food that the vendors were offering up this year. But enough about our weekend. Let's get on with our weekly interview. We had the pleasure to of speaking with shop owners, Barb and Bob of Hand Pickin Emporium They are located in the heart of old Rocklin 4155 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677. Click here to visit their facebook page.
1. How long have your been a shop owner? My Partner and I have had a shop going on 4 years. Hand Pickin Emporium is the second store. It is an Antique Mall
2. How large is your store? 5000 sf.
3. Do rent out booth space? Yes we have indoor and outdoor spaces and we do Outdoor Picker Markets every 4thSunday.
4. Before becoming a shop owner, were you a vintage dealer? We started collecting as a hobby.
5. What do think your hot ticket items are that customers just can't get enough of? Wow that really changes Monthly, weekly and daily.
6. What are your non selling items? Vintage Clothing
7. Do you think the shabby look is still selling very well? Yes, We sell more painted furniture then natural wood.
8. Do you sell a lot of industrial chic and salvaged items? We sell hardware, doors, windows and anything Victorian.
9. Do you utilize social media? If so, which ones work best for you? Yes, I am a huge believer in the internet and the power of it reaching people. Facebook is still my favorite.
10. Does your store offer any kind of creative classes? Yes, We have a paint class featuring our Pretty Powder Paint. We teach different paint techniques.
11. How many days a week are you open? 7 days a week. That will change in winter I am hoping for a 5 day week.
12. Why do you think your shop has been successful? One reason is our dealers. They are all so talented and smart "PICKER'S ". We try to have something for everyone and every type of collector. We also keep a "wish list" for our costumers.
13. What advice would you have for someone going into business for themselves? Know it will be the hardest job you will ever have. We work 7 days a week 13 hr a day. We eat, drink and sleep Hand Pickin Emporium. Make sure you love what you do and who you do it with because that makes all the different in the world.
14. What do you think the biggest mistakes are that vendors make? Thinking they will go into a space fill it up and forget about it for a month. I warn all mine that getting a booth is when the hobby becomes a business. Booths need fresh stock weekly.
15. What do you think the biggest mistakes are that shop owners make? Thinking it will be fun to own a store. It is a lot of work and finding a partner that shares your vision is a must. I am lucky my partner knows my strengths along with my weakness and trust me when I make a decision.
16. Have your done any barn sales or Vintage Markets? If so, how many? We have Pop up Markets called "Outdoor Picker Market's every 4th Sunday. We have been doing them for about a year.
17. Do you doing shows? No shows any more. I miss doing them, just like I miss hitting the road. Hopefully those will be in my future again.
18. What are some advantages and disadvantages of doing shows? I feel the advantage is it helps you streamline you pickin. Teaches you what sells and what doesn't. Also let's you meet people that shares your passion. Disadvantages? Early Mornings, long hours, lots of lifting and lots of cookie loos.
19. What advice do you have for someone that wants to do a show, but has never done one? Have a cute booth. I know people a visual and cute booths do good. Neat and organize wins.
Thank you so much, Barb and Bob. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us.
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