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| Business Columns - WCF Courier Business Monthly Published October 2009 New business partner adds new outlook By Lindsay Hildman, co-owner of Good Things Antiques & Gifts
Established in 2004, Good Things has embraced many changes. The most recent transition Good Things has gone through is becoming a family-owned business in a struggling economy. I joined my mother-in-law, Katie Hildman, over a year ago. The opportunity to become co-owner was brought to my attention, so my husband, Kyle, and I relocated from Des Moines so I could fulfill my dream of being a business owner. My experience in customer service and education in management and entrepreneurship made this business a great fit. I had to quickly learn all aspects of the existing business, while adding my own fresh new ideas.
Owning a business can have its ups and downs, especially during these difficult economic times. As retailers, we need to take into account that consumers want to spend their money very carefully. We put extra effort toward purchasing decisions and try to buy quality products at reasonable prices. ‘Good Things.’ prides itself in offering a pleasant shopping experience in a home setting, which will give customers an idea of how things might actually look in their home. Offering a wide variety and making sure inventory is unique are two things we strive for.
On the other hand, because times are tough, we are just trying to keep our head above water. Owning the property where our business resides can be beneficial, but not without its many challenges. One of the biggest issues for us right now is property taxes, which have doubled over the past five years. This and many other expenses small business owners incur may create havoc on their budget.
While living in the Des Moines area, I would frequent many of the locally owned shops and boutiques, many of which I found to be very successful. When the opportunity surfaced to become part owner of an antique and gift shop in Waterloo, I did not hesitate. Although, Des Moines is a larger market, I saw similarities in the vision of the Cedar Valley community and their efforts to revitalize local businesses. If we, as consumers, continue to take the time and effort to support local businesses it will initiate the growth of our local economy. This will in turn entice other entrepreneurs to plant their seed in the Cedar Valley. Waterloo antique store thrives
By GLORIA ALEFF, Courier Correspondent The Waterloo Courier, 12/5/2005 WATERLOO --- Want to own your own business? Advice is everywhere -- bookstores, seminars, magazines and on the Internet.
Paula Strom co-owner of Good Things Antiques & Gifts, 1419 W. Fourth St. in Waterloo, has advice, too. "Hard work. Know your customer and financial discipline."
Her partner, Katie Hildman, adds one more important point: "Keep work fun."
Strom and Hildman went into business together two years ago.
Strom had experience selling antiques on consignment out of a small rented space at Crossroads Mall in Waterloo. Hildman rented a booth in the same location and had experience as an antique appraiser for estate sales.
They talked about someday going into business together, but it was just talk until the day Hildman called her friend on her cell phone with the news, "I found the perfect location for us to open our antique shop."
The call took Strom by surprise. She was visiting her daughters in Portland, Ore.
Hildman described the three-story house built in 1919, located in Waterloo Church row neighborhood. It was in good shape, and the asking price was $90,000.
"Okay, let's buy it," was Strom's answer. "I will be your silent partner."
Strom's daughter, Alison, came up with the name Good Things.
When Good Things opened, they brought a small guest book, planning to record customer's names and addresses.
The guest book turned into a customer wish book.
"Our customers write in what they are looking for. We always take the book to auctions and estate sales," Hildman said.
They spend most weekends at auctions, bringing back the day's find in Hildman's truck and Strom's jeep. "We're the buyers and the movers," Hildman said.
"We go to auctions knowing how much money we are willing to bid, keeping in mind we buy for retail," Strom said.
The owners make several trips a year to markets in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City for new gift items.
They take empty suitcases when they travel to Boston, "the biggest flea market in the country," Strom said.
Strom had been a teacher, but quit to raise her six children.
After the children were grown, Strom said "I was bored staying at home." She is also a community volunteer for Green Scene, the Waterloo Public Library and is a court-appointed special advocate working with a family in need.
"I got my first Social Security check a month before we opened the business," she said.
Hildman had bookkeeping experience working with her husband, Mark, owner of CheckMart Appliance and Repair in Waterloo.
Her husband of 26 years, Mark wasn't all that happy about his wife's new business venture. He would be losing his bookkeeper and she already had a part-time job as a late shift secretary at Covenant Hospital (she still does).
"Now Mark is now one of my biggest supporters and will spend weekends moving furniture we buy at sales," Hildman said.
Customer service and their one-of-a-kind antiques is why Courier readers voted Good Things, first place in the "Best Unique Gifts and Best Collectibles," in the Cedar Valley for the past 2 years.
"They have a nice little shop and good quality antiques," said Dan Tindall of Grinnell.
Quality and authenticity are important to Tindall, who restored the Cedar Falls Black Hawk Hotel, built in 1879.
It was late on a recent Saturday afternoon, when the hotel owner walked in and said he was looking for antique furniture for his guest rooms
He ended up buying a 6-foot walnut wardrobe with bevel glass, a chest-of-drawers, footstool, large antique mirror and room accessories.
"It was our biggest sale ever," said Hildman. who was alone in the store when Tindall came in.
"It's too bad, so many antique shops in the Cedar Valley have closed over the years. The owners of Good Things know what they are doing," Tindall said.
Good Things is a shopping destination when Jane Rademacher of Norfolk, Nebr., visits her mother, Pauline Bergstrom of Waterloo.
Last week, Rademacher bought a window pane side table and a large handmade clock, made by local woodworker, Russell Poyner. "The next time I come for a visit, I am going to bring a trailer from home," she said.
The dining room in the Victorian-style house is decorated for Christmas with gift items "you won't find in department stores," Hildman said.
Local artist, Ann Whitmore, Waterloo, crafts "Down Time Design" fabric fashion purses.
Good Things carries an assortment of unique candles and stemware. The jewelry line is trendy and some vintage. They also have fused Dichrioc glass and silver necklaces.
Individual all occasion cards, reflect their one-of-a-kind philosophy. Most are black and white pictures of people from the 50's with humorous verses.
In the kitchen area, is a display of kitchen gadgets and pottery items and gourmet foods. With 24-hour notice, the owners will prepare custom gift baskets with gourmet foods and bath luxury items.
Vintage clothing, antique records, lamps, radios, teapots, tins and toys are everywhere on all three floors.
The first floor displays large antique furniture, dishes and depression glass.
"We are always checking our customer book. We want to have what people are looking for," Strom said.
Contact Gloria Aleff at SBLGram@aol.com.
It's All Good at good things.
Waterloo, IA - Collectors will find good things when they locate the hard to find antiques and gifts at "good things." grand opening July 2nd in the historic Waterloo Church Row neighborhood on West 4th Street.
Owners, Katie Hildman and Paula Strom, have been antique collectors themselves for many years and decided just two months ago to open their own antique and gift shop. A few days later a three story house built in 1906 was placed on the market for sale. Hildman, who has been an antique appraiser for several years, knew the house was in the right location and the right size for the antique business they had talked about having one day.
Time was of the essence. Strom was out of town visiting her daughters in Portland. Hildman called her on her cell phone, described the house and the asking price. Before she had run out of time on her cell phone, Strom said "OK, let's do it." She intended to be a silent partner. Hildman made an offer on the house and it was accepted. Strom returned home to see the house for the first time and hasn't been silent since.
"good things. antiques & gifts" is a good find for the collector or shopper looking for unusual gifts. The house has a feeling of a home from the original tile entryway to the polished hardwood floors. They have old sturdy suitcases, children's books, antique toys and antique kitchen items. Hildman said she may have a hard time parting with one item which is a white antique christening gown with a cape bonnet handing in the front room.
The dining room has a large antique table displaying depression glassware, crystal bowls, vases and old sets of table service. At "good things." you will find antique dressers, tables, chairs, old wicker furniture, side tables and cabinets. French metal vases are filled with artificial flowers they sell by the stem.
Stepping into the room is like visiting a home in the 1920's. Vintage dresses and an assortment of small wool hats and gloves, reminiscent of what ladies wore 40 years ago, are amount the good things collectors appreciate.
Soon after they decided to open an antique store, Hildman and Strom were on a plane to Brimfield, MA, one of the largest flea markets in the U.S., to buy some of the unique finds they needed for the opening.
Not everything at "good things." is antique. They have an exclusive line of Vitivo candles. Another item, Hildman said, " You won't find in department stores is a line of Zum Bar soaps and lotions made from goat's milk." Iowa artists make the homemade jewelry and fun fashion purses. Individual cards are from Images of Iowa in limited edition reproduction photos and designs.
Hildman and Strom will make custom good things. Gift baskets filled with whatever the customer wants, including gourmet coffee and teas. Orders are filled within 24 hours after selections are made.
A few rooms on the third floor are available for rent to people like Hildman and Strom who like old things.
"good things." is located at 1419 West 4th Street. Business hours are 10:00 to 6:00 Tuesday through Saturday.
For Further information, contact either owner at 319-232-3405 or visit their website at www.goodthingsiowa.com
Long-time friends become partners to open collectibles shop By MELODY PARKER, Courier Arts / Special Sections Editor
WATERLOO --- Good things don't always come wrapped in small packages.
The Waterloo Courier, 7/25/2004 For Katie Hildman and Paula Strom, "good things" can be found --- unwrapped or in gift baskets --- in a 1906 three-story house in Waterloo's historic Church Row neighborhood. And it's the name the pals have given their antiques and gift store which opened earlier this month at 1419 W. Fourth St.
"We thought of all kinds of names, and it became a real puzzler what to call ourselves. We listed names, asked our friends to vote, and 'good things' is the one we thought best described the kinds of collectibles, antiques and favorite things, and the atmosphere, people will find in our store," says Hildman.
Anyone who loves "old" or "vintage" collectibles such as decorative metal cake carriers (a hot topic in last month's issue of Country Living magazine), retro signs, French metal vases, old wicker furniture, '50s motel-style metal lawn chairs, depression-era glassware, estate jewelry, kitchenware and children's toys, will feel at home in good things. Sets of tableware and bits and pieces of silver services, crystal, antiques, vintage textiles and other items are displayed on antique tables and dressers, and inside cupboards and cabinets on every floor of the refurbished house. In the kitchen, shoppers will find everything from cake stands and tea cups and saucers to vintage fruit-themed kitchen towels and aprons like Grandmother used to wear, and gourmet coffees and teas. Everything old is new again at good things, but there are some new finds, too, such as trendy and fragrant Zum Bar soaps and lotions made from goats' milk, August Moon figurines and fun fashion handbags, art jewelry and cards by Iowa artists. The coffee pot is always on for shoppers to cozy up in the living room, and the dining room is a blend of new and old products. Bedrooms are filled with antiques, and the toy room offers vintage toys, games and accessories. Hallway closets are stuffed with items to buy. Hildman, an antiques appraiser, and Strom, a long-time community volunteer, became friends when Strom's daughter and Hildman's son dated in high school. That relationship ended, but the mothers soon discovered a mutual love --- call it an obsession --- for collecting. It wasn't long before the duo began tag-teaming estate auctions and flea markets, and rummaging through garage sales. They began daydreaming about opening their own shop to share their finds. For Hildman, the desire for a career change became strong. She wanted a change from cataloguing and marking up estate sales. "It was kind of sad because in most instances, people are either giving up their belongings because they have to, or because someone has died. I wanted to do something happy," she explains. She mentioned to Strom that she was looking at properties for a store. "Could you use a silent partner?" Strom asked. Plans moved forward rapidly. Hildman found the perfect property at 1419 W. Fourth St., a three-story house built in 1906 in the Waterloo Church Row neighborhood. But Strom was out of town, visiting her daughters in Portland, Ore. She called Strom's cell phone, described the property and Strom, trusting Hildman's judgement, urged her to "just buy it." The house took several months to whip into shape with paint, polish and elbow grease. Hardwood floors gleam and the original tile entryway is intact. And Strom is no longer so silent. "I could tell she wanted me to be part of it. We're friends and it's about staying connected," says Strom. "When we got crazy with working so hard, I saw a sign that read 'if you rest, you rust' and that's me. I've never been quiet too long and this is so much fun. We're very proud of it." Not long after purchasing the house, they were on a plane to Brimfield, Mass., for one of the largest flea markets in the United States. Road trips included stops in Wisconsin and a trip to Kansas City, Kan. Everything clicked. "When I was a little scared, Paula was excited, and vice versa. It's like Christmas every day when the UPS man arrives at the door. One of the hardest things at market, for both of us, is to buy things we didn't love but knew other people would. It's also hard buying things you really love and have to let go out the door," Hildman says, smiling. Both women mined their personal collections for a few things, including an antique cabinet in the dining room. "It was kind of necessary because we both have too many things we think are dear that we can part with," Strom notes. For more information, call 232-3405 or visit www.goodthingiowa.com© The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier 2003 Waterloo & Cedar Falls, Iowa http://www.wcfcourier.com/ view our privacy statement . | |
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