One of THOSE Days

We all have THOSE days. You know the ones where you should’ve stayed in bed with the covers over your head. For those of us in retail it can sometimes be a lost package that seems to be touring the U.S. when all it had to do was go 40 miles, a dock strike in LA meaning your Easter bunnies are being held hostage by sweaty men with placards, or a snow dump on the east coast keeping your new barware – on ice! OR, you can have one of those days where that ALL happens and you can’t do anything but wait for the next call with more good news.
Didn’t have to wait long. Semi-trailer driver thinks our address is, well, not our address. That’s a fun argument!
Whew! Ready for bed and it’s only 6:30!

Shop Local – Support Local

For the last several years we have hosted a dinner at the Barn. We prepare the meal, some sort of activity and a discount on shopping. This dinner is a charity event for St. Anthony Catholic School donated as an auction item during their school carnival. In addition, we done another 10% of sales from the evening to the arts program at the school.
We all as independent retailers constantly ask customers to shop local, but what are you doing as a retailer to support local needs? We must be an active partner in our community if we expect the same from shoppers within the community. We are proud of our participation and get so much from it when kids tell us how much they do and learn in the art program at the school. We know we’ve helped in some small way to help them spread their wings and learn new things.
Don’t forget your customers and the community in which you both live. It does make a difference!

And, I’d like to Thank…

Set Design...

While the Oscars are running across the TV, all the thank you’s inspired me to do my own thank you’s for one of the most fun events I’ve ever put together. Thanks to The Columbus Christian Women’s Organization, specifically my dear “Pug” for asking me to let the store be an auction item in their annual luncheon. Thank you to Lori, Tanya, Belinda, Stephanie, Carol, Jeannie, Teresa, Janell & Paulie for wanting to dine at the barn enough to buy us in a heated bidding war. And, most importantly, thank you to one of the greatest teams a store could have to help make the “magic” happen…Debbie, Karlie, Sydney & Cydney….and Bill for being a part of the “dream” even though it’s not his dream.

So, what is all the thanks about? Last night, the Silver Barn broke new ground by hosting a dinner by candlelight, a fashion presentation by good friend and author, Sarah Shah, and a night of shopping. We served a smoked mustard crusted pork tenderloin, corn casserole, fresh asparagus & for dessert, Peach Pecan Amaretto Cream Pie. Thanks also goes to our good friends at The Vintage Shop for helping select a great assortment of wines for the evening. I’ve never felt so wine intelligent before! Thanks also to Abigail Hornik and Westerware for donating the fabulous dinner dishes which will now be passed on the this same charity for them to auction off next year.

What fun. What a nice feeling to do something that benefits so many. What a night!

...to a great dinner

A Little Self Plug Tonight….

Shelly Miles, Host of SA Living...and Moi!

….and I’ll try not to break my arm patting myself on the back!

Some folks may know that before I opened my store I had been a consumer PR geek, retail consultant & TV spokesperson. Opening the Silver Barn gave me the opportunity to do something I had always wanted to do – live a dream. I am excited to be able to now combine my first love – the store, with another love – TV work. For anyone in retail they know any PR you can get is very valuable. I’m lucky enough to be able to garner some of that on my own, and now I can begin to work to build Silver Barn as a destination. A place to come and enjoy shopping as well as enjoy the atmosphere.

And, I am especially happy to share the Silver Barn and some of our great products with some of my favorite TV pals – Shelly Miles and her fab producer, Monica Nino. I can’t wait to return again soon!!! Thanks to the team that makes me look good!!