Semper Paratus... or Simply Forgot Us?

"Semper Paratus" {Always Ready} is the fitting motto of the US Coast Guard. My brother Chris is a now-retired member of the Coast Guard and had a great career with them. For much of the time he was on active duty, they were a part of the Department of Transportation, not exactly an official branch of the military. For that reason, I think, they were sometimes the butt of various military jokes (even though they, too, put their lives on the line to protect us). It also seemed that sometimes they were last in line for funding and recognition. Their own inside joke was a twist on on the sound of Semper Paratus: or "Simply Forgot Us."

I always think of this when someone comes in our shop and tells us they haven't been in in so long, and that they always forget we're here. Yeah. We know that's one of the downfalls of having a shop in an old, funky farmhouse that's not on the main path to anywhere*, yet not entirely hidden. Our little slogan since forever has been "slightly off the beaten path." You don't really have to have a treasure map to find us, as long as you know where Macy's is.

On the other hand, we've made it through fourteen years, and aside from the flying faceplant we did when everything crashed, we've continued to grow and thrive, with new customers all the time, and a core group of dear, dear clients who have been with us since day one.

It's a conscious decision (and a battle, sometimes) to keep our business in such an unlikely spot. It doesn't fit the "norm" of what a retail shop should look like. It's maddening to try and merchandise product in there (where's that shoehorn?), and the building itself has its pitfalls and quirks. For one thing, it's on the local historic register, so we can't put up more signage, or do anything to the front to let people know that, yes, this is a shop, and it's bigger than it looks. The Boyd house has its charms, even if sometimes we're so irritated at the plumbing, the electricity, the lack of space, the inaccessibility for some of our dear customers who can't just march in over the gravel, the crooked walkway and leaning steps. It's pretty creaky, but so would we be, at 100-plus years old.

On the other hand, being in such a funky spot helps us keep costs down, and we have very kind and understanding landlords. That's huge. When we had our shop(s) downtown, the monthly nut we had to cover was easily 6-7 times larger than what we worry about now (factoring in extra staff, extra utilities, etc. etc.).

Perhaps best of all, we have room for our flea markets in summer, which I think are my favorite thing in the whole world. During our last market, which was our biggest ever, I stood on the porch and looked at this sea of people digging for flea market treasures, and realized how very happy this all was.

Semper Paratus. We're always ready. Not that there's any comparison to the Coast Guard! The most dangerous thing I do at work is balance on a rock to get our "open" flag inserted into the flag pole. My brother used to dangle off a line dropping him into the sinking New Carissa, or dive near leaking oil rigs, board drug-runner boats, armed and ready, deal with burning, toxic roadways that were made from old tires, check harbors for dangerous shipments and dangerous people... some of this stuff makes me go pale just thinking about it.

So, don't forget us. We're easy to get to. We change things up every day so you'll never be bored. We're just doing our little indie thing out there in the "hinterlands." Meaning, not downtown. *Path to anywhere? Why yes, we're right next door to Sun Mountain Fun Center, directly behind the north side of Macy's and Kohl's, and now, next door neighbors to the new Duck Store. Quack!