Chicago. Business Stuff and A Cool Store.

Click on this image I stole from their site to go there!These last few post-landing-in-Chicago weeks have been a whirlwind of space shopping, business plan writing and bratwurst eating, which has meant fewer updates here.  I am confident that soon there will be news in this space about a new permanent home for an expanded business.

In the meantime-as the band Helmet might say-may I direct your attention to the site of an excellent locals-only furniture shop I stumbled upon in the Andersonville area of Chicago.  The Haymaker Shop was full of great stuff, putting me on notice I'll need to stay sharp if I expect to compete for the custom furniture dollar here. I saw a lot of good furniture and interesting household items, priced reasonably.   Staff/ownership were incredibly helpful to just some guy who came in off the street and started asking questions about their business and the furniture and retail scene here. If you are in town, definitely check it out.  I'll be there tonight for an event involving food trucks.* 

*(Something I've learned:Many things in Chicago involve eating.)

Hot and Slow=High Quality

Where have I heard that before?  Anyway, those were the conditions at the Brooklyn Flea on Saturday. I didn't sell very much on the day, but I've learned that the cash in my pocket at the end of a day at the Flea isn't necessarily the final word.  On the slower days I end up having much longer conversations with folks about what I do and what they need.  This often results in emails bearing commissions, one or two weeks later.  Slower days at the Flea also mean a less frenetic pace for the shoppers.  I think the crowd that buys my stuff, a little older, a little more established, are often, on busy Flea days, just about ready to pull the claustrophobia rip cord by the time they get to my booth.  On slower days, they still have some mental energy left with which to picture their homes and how my stuff would fit in.