As the shop is still new to the neighborhood it’s taking a while for folks to come and visit. There are definitely days I wonder if anyone else “gets” my interior design philosophy. It was on such a day this past weekend when I was visited by two customers that had been there once before. Having someone come back to your place of business because they think it’s interesting is a great compliment. When they told me how much they love the atmosphere and how relaxing it is, it really lifted my spirits. I want visitors to feel at home in Apartment 46. I want them to browse and check things out, ask questions, sit on a chair, listen to the music…I want them to enjoy the space.
I do have a few regular customers who make it a point to stop in once a week and it’s so exciting to know that when they want to bring beauty into their home, they come to me. One comes for weekly flowers and allows me to design her bouquets on a whim. Another loves to check out the newest air plants and yet another has filled large parts of her home with furniture and accessories and advice from my shop. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that people found something they loved enough to take home with them.
Today was a huge turning point for me and I felt compelled to post a blog to share just how much I love my customers. I had a gentleman come in to pick up a vintage Spanish tea table and right as he arrived, my regular flower customer arrived. Immediately after she came in, another gentleman came in to get a bouquet. As I was getting things together for them all, they started chatting with me, and then with each other and it was a four-way dynamic that would never have occurred in Pottery Barn or Target or any other boutique that I can recall. Everyone seemed to have known one another and all left happier than when they arrived. I was deeply humbled by the realization that although I may not be a global brand, the space and the atmosphere bring someone really nice out of people and I’m so lucky to have a hand in that. It’s really an honor to become a part of people’s lives, if even for a moment. The minute I don’t feel that way, that’s when I need to close the shop.
Thank you for visiting my site and reading my blog and I hope to get the chance to share the space with you sometime as well!
Melisa
