Our Open House – It took A Village

Hi Everyone!

We’re OPEN! The SHOP IS OPEN!

I had the nicest client in the shop the other day, she said she was a blog reader and that I should post SOMETHING about the opening and how things are going. So, a short very long-winded and update for a sweet reader (and now a customer, and new friend – thanks for the reminder K)
We opened our doors on November 30th after a very very long reno and crazy week. It was a bit of a miracle that we actually were able to open. Wow, we worked hard, along with so so so many family, friends and suppliers. I was overwhelmed with the support before, and even more OVERWHELMED by the people that came to our Open House.

I wish I had taken some better pictures, I wish I had thought to get my photographer husband to bring his camera (I know duh right?), but I did manage to snap a few 2 minutes before we opened. And my friend Jocelyn snapped a few. Someone told me to take a moment just before the doors opened to take it all in, I did and am grateful because once the doors opened early at 10 am on Nov 30th for the open house, people poured in and kept coming. STRANGERS came (I honestly thought it would only be my family and friends there to humour me). I met SO many lovely people, I tried in my tired and probably incoherent state to explain what I was doing and what we were about. About Milk Paint and Acrylic paint and workshops, and I tried to show them what we had to offer. I was so excited to meet some of YOU, my blog readers, I was beyond excited that there was someone in the parking lot waiting for me to open, that had travelled from another town to be there for the opening, I loved meeting you S. Family came, my 93-year-old Nana came (and oh how I wish I had gotten a picture of her here with me to show you – drat). My aunties and uncles and sister and so many friends came, and so many new friends, well, it was all wonderful. So many came with cards, and wine and Champagne and flowers and good wishes. I was a little unprepared for that. I’m not sure I even was able to talk to you all, I want you to know how much you being here supporting me meant. Thank you.

I was unprepared for sales that day as well. I mean I did have invoices and cash box and was physically ready, but not emotionally ready. I really thought people would come and look and learn, and I guess when they started buying it surprised me. (ok  – yes I know I am a retail store that sells things, but still)

We had cider and cookies and a little Michel Buble to keep us all happy, and poof, all of a sudden it was 4 pm and everyone left. I must say, I was left speechless. Yes, me, speechless. Miracle I know.

What a day, it was so great and I am so grateful to the multitude of people that have helped me, those here and those of you away, I heard your cheers, I feel so blessed to be part of a great community here, and a great online supportive community.

I most especially need to thank my amazing husband that was there every day even though he runs 2 other businesses and has a very busy life. He lugged, and hauled and lifted and cleaned, and painted and painted and painted and cleaned, and drywalled, and put up lights, and built walls and installed sinks, and built steps, and put down flooring, and cleaned windows and built his first barn door, worked with his first chicken wire, and his first planked wall and did a super awesome job building my very popular upcycled bowling alley countertop and so much more including keeping me calm, keeping the house running, the dogs fed and did all the kid lugging. He was a little busy. He is my biggest cheerleader and I could not do this without him. Thank you, honey. This is where I should put a picture of the two of us – didn’t happen.

I need to thank my daughter who is in her Grad year and mommy has been neglectful (well, don’t call authorities just a little neglectful).

I NEED to thank my very good friend Lise who came every day and helped me paint and paint, and paint and listened when I bounced my crazy ideas off her. Thank you, Lise. To Jocelyn of Joce Creative for helping me with my logo and branding (she rocks), to Lisa for helping so much and for being the one who said “What DO you want to do” look what happened!! And thank you for helping in so many other ways including doing all my merchandizing of my MMSMP – what a gift. Thank you Jen for cleaning windows, pulling up gross carpet and so much more. I am so grateful. To all my friends that popped in and helped, I am very aware of your selflessness and appreciate you all. To the best supplier ever Jennylyn from Homestead House and to Laura Cote Destin from the Ironstone Nest for going above and beyond to get my beautiful chalkboard sign in and to the OODLES of other retailers (you know who you are) that have helped me. Love you all. To my very very very awesome landlords and friends Debbie and Jo-Ann, your support and kindness are so appreciated and I cannot express to you how grateful I am to you. I wish I had pictures of you all from opening day. Makes me sad I don’t.

Thank you to so many in my local community and my online community of supporters for spreading the word. I am grateful and thankful.

I’ll be back soon to tell you about the first – oh so much fun Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint 101 workshop – and some before and after shots of the shop along with some of the fun DIY things we did in the shop, like the barn door, planked wall and upcycled bowling alley floor.

Thanks for following along this crazy journey (and if you read this through you are amazing)

Wendy

xx

*This blog post was updated in September 2021. Front Porch Mercantile is no longer a physical retail store and has grown into Front Porch Lifestyle. Now Wendy offers her services as a business coach to other creatives while continuing a blog more focused on living a creative life.