It’s been a minute.

I kept thinking, “make a post…MAKE A POST”. But life happens.

Guess that’s a good thing, right? As I head into my THIRTEENTH holiday season as a small business owner, I am BEYOND thankful. Thankful for all of the folks I have met. Thankful for all the things I have learned. Thankful for how I have grown. Some of my favorite people I wouldn’t have met, had it not been for opening Gather & Collect.

Too many to list…you know who you are. Thanks for sticking with me.

Along the way, I’ve learned a little about myself as well. I truly had no real expectations for what I wanted out of the shop. Obviously, you want to be profitable and show growth. I am driven, but not so much by the money aspect of it. I love to thrift. LOVE IT! The chance to curate found treasures while adding in a bit of personality…well it’s my happy place. To help some folks out along the way…icing on top.

Gather & Collect has done well, through the ups and downs of illness, CRAZY pandemic years, moving locations, growing pains, and a nearly 8 month brutal downtown construction project…

I am going to take a moment to focus on the ups. I’m still in business. I still unlock the door and think “holy shit! this is MINE”. I still hear laughter in the shop. Customers have become friends. Employees have become family. And I still like…no, LOVE what I do. Running a small business is not for the weary. Or wait…running a small business makes one weary…either way, I appreciate my family and friends for their support. I appreciate my customers for continuing to walk through that door.

It takes a Village…and boy oh boy do I appreciate mine.

Cheers to a life well lived – Julie

Celebrating FOUR YEARS at Gather & Collect

I cannot BELIEVE it has been four years!  Where has the time gone??  It’s crazy to think that my two boys Jack and Owen were only 7 and 4 1/2 years old when we opened.  Huge shoutout to my forever partner Jessica Moran Rench for an amazing first three years.  So proud of her over the past year as I watch her business Jessica Moran Interiors kick into high gear!  It’s been a wonderful ride and I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support…My friend and fellow workmate Ingrid Davis always says “it takes a village.”  So true, so true.  For all of the times I lost keys, had to run out to a baseball game, lost keys again, had help rearranging the shop and building fixtures (thanks Zak Wilson and Jordan Hasek), sudden illness, vacations, more lost keys…soooo many folks helped.  Jessica has continued to be my sounding board and support, as well as an occasional fill in!  From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and everyone of you.  Stop in the shop.  We’re now open SIX days a week!  Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm.  Julyschedule