See what you could find inside the Prairie Chic store

This is an example of a store that we are using as a guideline for our store. Vendors can display their antique items, handmade craft items, figurines, collectables, or whatever they would like to sell in their rented space.

In a sales floor area of the store, we'll also be offering quality used larger furniture pieces and antique items on consignment.

Anyone who would like to become a vendor and area residents who would like to sell antique or quality used furniture items in the store can contact Stephanie Gilbert, store manager, at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com. For more information about the store, visit the More about the Prairie Chic Store Tab above.

Art work encouraged for display, purchase at store

Several people have asked about art work to be located inside the store. We encourage art work of any kind displayed and available for purchase inside Prairie Chic.

For instance, here are two examples of metal art using automotive pieces that could be displayed inside the store:




If you have art that you would like to sell in the store, contact Stephanie Gilbert, store manager, at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com to make arrangements to do so.

See some of our progress inside the Prairie Chic store!

Lots of hard work took place inside 9 S. Broadway St., Herington, KS last weekend. There's still more work to be done inside the business. Even so, here are some pictures of the progress that has been made inside the store.

Here is what the store looked like before the cleanup. First, this is the central part of the store, before any painting or removal of leftover items from the sales floor.


Here is the southeast corner of the store, before any cleanup.


Here are two views of the southwest corner of the sales floor, still with signs and items from the previous business.



Lastly, there is the view of the northwest corner of the store, before any cleanup or painting.


Here are some after pictures, of the inside of the store.

First, here is the view of the southeast corner of the store, now painted, cleared and empty. More work will be done to relocate some more wall pieces from the north wall here to the south wall.


This is a view of the southwest corner of the store front. It has also been painted, cleared and is now mostly empty. The wall sections are available for rent to area vendors, according to the size of rented space.


This is the view of the northwest corner of the sales floor. This is where antique items, quality used furniture, art displays and other items will be displayed. In the far corner of the store, climate controlled storage spaces are available to rent. They have not yet been constructed, though.


There are going to be seven 32' long vendor sections for rent. They are available in 4', 6' or 8' sections. They have also not yet been constructed. The climate controlled storage units will be separated from antique sales floor items. The storage unit renters will have access via a rear entry point outside of regular business hours.

Would you like more information about the Prairie Chic store? can contact Stephanie Gilbert, store manager, at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com or visit the More about the Prairie Chic store tab here.

Work now well underway inside Prairie Chic store

Mark and Denise Homer, business owners, and Stephanie Gilbert, store manager, had very productive workdays on Thursday and Saturday to get things done inside the new store.

Work done inside included Denise painting the store sign, many people moving items off the main floor (for possible future floor work), Mark and Stephanie painting the walls, several contractors relocating peg board sections, several people sweeping the floor, and contractors removing signs left in place from the former RHV store.

The sofa and love seat set that had been inside the Prairie Chic store has now been moved to bridal and groom rooms inside the St. Mark's Wedding Chapel.

One repurposed glass case from the old Kay's Pharmacy store is now located in the store, with two more cases planned to follow. The idea of repurposed items is spot on with what the store represents to the Tri-County area, so it's very fitting that the Homers have purchased local used items to put inside the store.

Related to the church, area businesses will be contacted to see if they would like to offer services as approved vendors for wedding services. We can offer vendor space to showcase what these vendors have to offer -- you guessed it, in the Prairie Chic store.

Several local contractors are being used for work on the store. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to think of ways they can spur a new business in town by offering services, at a cost, or selling items, or especially creating items that can be sold inside the Prairie Chic store. Handmade items can be artistic in nature, made of wood, metal, leather, fabric, etc.!

Any handmade crafters who would like to become a vendor and area residents who would like to sell antique or quality used furniture items in the store can contact Stephanie Gilbert, store manager, at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com
.

As always, more later!

So, what's going on with the United Methodist Church?

So, since Mark and Denise Homer first bought the First United Methodist Church in Herington, what's going on with that project now?

Well, there's still work being done inside the church. You can see some pictures of the work that has been done so far to the church on the St. Mark's Wedding Chapel blog here.

In the future, once Prairie Chic is up and running, both busienesses will be tied together, and both blogs likewise. Vendors who have items inside Prairie Chic can be picked as Approved Vendors and listed on the St. Mark's blog page. Keep in mind that people who attend a wedding may need to find a last-minute, unique wedding gift. Prairie Chic's direct tie to the St. Mark's Wedding Chapel would be the perfect complement to visitors coming to the City of Herington for their very first time.

This is just another perk that area residents have for their considerideration who may be pondering renting vendor space at the store. Want to know more about vendor rates and more about the store in general? You can find that at the More about the Prairie Chic Store tab at the top of the page.

Now recruiting area vendors!

Do you create handmade items? We're interested in talking to you! Mark and Denise Homer, from San Antonio, Texas, have purchased 9 S. Broadway St., in Herington. Area merchants will be selling their items on site or via the web starting April 25, 2014 at the Prairie Chic store.

Here's some information for anyone who may be considering placing items in the store.

Booth rates are about $10 per foot per month, according to size. These rates are:
* 4' booth -- $43/mo. for a 12 month lease or $50/mo. for 6 month lease
* 6' booth -- $65/mo. for a 12 month lease or $75/mo. for 6 month lease
* 8' booth -- $85/mo. for a 12 month lease or $95/mo. for 6 month lease
Note: There is also a 15% commission on all booth sales, which will go down to 10% as sales increase. See below for more information on that opportunity.

Wall space is available at $15 per foot. These rates are:
* 4' wall space -- $60/mo. for a 12 month lease or $65/mo. for 6 month lease
* 6' wall space -- $90/mo. for a 12 month lease or $98/mo. for 6 month lease
* 8' wall space -- $120/mo. for a 12 month lease or $130/mo. for 6-month lease

End caps of booth spaces are also available. A full end cap is $50/mo. for 6 month lease and half end caps are $30/mo. for a 6-month lease.

** The first Prairie Chic tenants will get 1 month free with one month paid with a signed six-month lease regular or 2 months free with one month paid with a signed 12-month lease. This offer is valid for first leases only.

What about positive sales figure incentives?
Vendors with a volume of at least five times (5x) their rental for a quarter will get a reduction down to 10% commission for the next quarter, as long as they maintain their sales volume at five times their rental or more.

What about other items?
We also offer commissioned sales of furniture, including antique items, art works, etc. Those are for a 30% commission, but that can be negotiated.

Denise Homer will provide artistic guidance with a product mix that will encourage traveling "Antique Pickers" to visit Herington along their travels!

As for the Tri-County region, this is our idea but this will be your business. We need a small army of motivated entrepreneurs  to stock the shelves and help run the store. The items for sale will primarily be from local vendors, which makes the success of this Prairie Chic a partnership between store owners and vendors.

We will be marketing items online (via sales websites such as Craigslist and Etsy) and with a blog to create a more personal tie to the store.

Here are some rules to help Prairie Chic maintain continuity and sales success for all vendors by providing efficiency for Prairie Chic management.

Tags -- All vendors will use their Vendor Number Id, on all merchandise tags. Vendor number should be written in RED in upper left corner for easy identification at check-out by management with your pricing and item description in Black. Please make all info legible for anyone to be able to read, not just you. Vendor markdowns will be done in GREEN over existing tags with additional info posted in booth if to attract shoppers. Please tag and price your items at home.

Last but not least, make sure every item has it’s own tag and that it is attached well. Place sticky tags on an area that won’t be damaged by the glue, lost sales can occur for this reason.

Items -- If you bring any items that should not be opened, make sure that they are secured with tape or closed tightly. If stored in a Zip Lock bag, they will be opened and removed so secure with staples and tag.

If smaller valuable items such as jewelry or nick knacks are to be sold, you are responsible for securing in a locked display to avoid any loss with labeled second key left with management.

Booths -- Please keep your aisle clear. There should not be any items extending past the dividing walls of your booth, especially a fixture. We need to keep walking space safe for shoppers. When you come to stock, please be kind to your neighbors and don’t block the aisles when filling your booth, as most shoppers will avoid those aisles altogether until they are cleared. Prairie Chic will notify all vendors of upcoming “Work Nights” for those who would like more time to clean out and rearrange their booths for special seasonal displays without customers in the store in their monthly newsletter.

Lighting is limited to 60 watts for 4' or 6' and 100 watts for 8' booths and is limited to compact fluorescent and LED bulbs only. Additional fee of $ 2/mo. will be added to your contract. Unapproved lighting will be disconnected upon management discretion. Management reserves the right to add capacity to a booth for an additional fee.

Layaways -- Our store provides our customers a great opportunity to purchase your goods and also provides layaway services in our storage area until pick-up. This service is only offered to shoppers. Vendors have the opportunity to rent our controlled spaces available for those who wish to keep items ready for future display or storage for their personal goods.

Who are the Homers?
You can read more about Mark and Denise Homer, and how they found the Prairie Chic location in Herington at More about the Homers.

What if I still have more questions?
Please contact Stephanie Gilbert at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com for more information, or to sign up for vendor space before the grand opening on April 25!

As always, more later.

Let me introduce you ....

TLet me introduce you to the Prairie Chic, Handcrafts and Antiques store coming to Herington in April 2014! Mark and Denise Homer, from San Antonio, Texas, have purchased 9 S. Broadway St., in Herington.

We feel the use of "Prairie" will distinguish its location and "Chic" to the sense of style that can be expanded with what the merchants will be offering to their buyers on site or on the web.

Denise Homer will provide artistic guidance with a product mix that will encourage traveling "Antique Pickers" to visit Herington along their travels! She has a long history with interior design and has even been hired to "pick" for those special clients who do not have time or skill to travel to small towns or shops like Prairie Chic will create in Herington.

As for the Tri-County region (of Dickinson, Marion and Morris counties), this is our idea but this will be your business. We need a small army of motivated entrepreneurs to stock the shelves and help run the store. The items for sale will primarily be local which makes the success of this Prairie Chic a partnership between store owners and vendors.

We will be marketing items online (via sales websites such as Craigslist and Etsy) and with this -- our blog -- to create a more personal tie to the store.

If you have any questions or wish to get information on becoming a vendor at the Prairie Chic store, please contact Store Manager Stephanie Gilbert at PrairieChicKansas@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading!