The Stillroom

Small business Saturday is approaching very soon. When you shop small, you are helping your community in more ways that you can imagine.

Here is a quick diary of how The Stillroom started in a nutshell.

When I lived in Baltimore and after working for a company that handled Navy Defense contracts, I decided to leave to work in retail. Driving that beltway over 20 miles in rush hour each way was just not fun. Ever. I was ready for a change.

I found my first retail job in historic Ellicott City and over time, was fortunate to work for three different shopkeeps on their days off. It was a very tight-knit group of business women and I was thrilled to find myself a part of it. This was the place where I decided that one day I would love to have my own gift shop. It was like Christmas every day. Unpacking, pricing and displaying. It was actually fun! So different from what I was used to.

Fast forward to 9/11.

I was extremely blessed to start my own small business on September 11, 2001. The stress that this day wrought upon us as a country is unforgettable. I just remember standing outside of old Red Barn Shop building with that blue, blue sky above me and the complete silence that accompanied it. Not even a cricket. It was disturbing to think that my husband and son stood at the top of those buildings just a few short months before that.

As we dealt with the new hand that we were now holding, the question in my mind was how to lay it down with some kind of a win. Not just for me, but as a place in the community people could come to and try to enjoy.

The Stillroom started out as a very small and simple gift shop specializing in fragrant herbs, spices, essential oils and gifts. I also made it a point to shop for local and organically produced giftware. Even though Amazon had been doing business at this point for six years or so, I felt I had something more personal to offer and add to the community.

As the weather turned cold and in the process of opening the shop, it was important to me to create a comforting and welcoming atmosphere. I moved fixtures and furniture around to create a small corner in shop big enough yet cozy enough to sit and have a cup of Stash Wintermint tea, on the house. Winter mint seemed appropriate since winter was arriving. I would fill the urn with water, plug it in and set the tea stuffs out for anyone that wanted to take five. We were all in the same boat. Trying to be normal when suddenly nothing was anymore. I guess this was our generations’ Pearl Harbor.

That little tea nook led to some pretty amazing things. Customers that came through the shop started asking for different flavors of tea and before the Christmas holiday arrived, The Stillroom had a full stock of Stash Tea. I guess we morphed into a tea shop. I am now a tea monger.

My intention from the beginning was to fill The Stillroom with items that delighted the senses. The visuals, the fragrances, the music that played softly, which was intended to slow us down a bit, and the selection of tea was and is the best around and by all means, please do handle the merch.

I actually created a small business. As vice president of the FBLA in high school, I hope I did Dr. Malobicky proud. lol She actually came to the shop all of these years later and remembered me and loved the shop. That was a win.

What small business is not.

It is not a big box store. It is not Amazon. It is not hustle or hassle. It is not door busting. It is not beat the crowd. There is no black friday every day. What even is that? Shopping small is not any of the things that some people dread as the gift giving season approaches.

What small business is.

Small business is average people throwing caution to the wind, crossing fingers and hoping that the community will embrace the efforts.

Over the years as The Stillroom went through the recession and managed to survive, the journey of my small business led me to another small business that is Diamond Antiques and Gifts, located in the riverside borough of Tarentum, PA.

Talk about an endeavor! The owner of Diamond Antiques and Gifts really knows how to do it right! Dianna’s journey is hers to tell but from what I can see, her contribution to the borough of Tarentum in the days where online shopping is almost the norm has been and continues to be huge.

Diamond Antiques and Gifts has been number one in the AK Valley with good reason. This two story building is loaded with gifts, antiques, coffee, tea, florals, vintage, old, new, repurposed, jewelry, furniture, cards, locally produced honey by Tarenbee, and most importantly, a knowledgable and friendly, helpful staff.

When you come through the doors of this historic, old building you will immediately know that you are in a very special store.

My good fortune was becoming a part of this fabulous co op of vendors after relocating from Saxonburg to Natrona Heights. The Stillroom has the same footprint that is has had in the past. Still small and packed to the gills. The shop is located right inside the door of Diamond Antiques and Gifts. We are in the window. Stop down, take a peek around. With over 25 vendors to shop through, you will not be disappointed.

Make it a mental note to keep your spending dollars in your community by shopping small.

Besides, it is such an old timey thing to do. I always liked to say “give a piece of the past for the present.”

If you are shopping for new, we have that too!

P.S.
In spite of the thief that keeps ripping off the decorations from our little trees in the urns on the sidewalk, and eventually the trees themselves, I will keep replacing them. Merry Karma.

It’s me for the win.

All opinions and writings are from The Stillroom tea monger.

SHOP DIAMOND ANTIQUES AND GIFTS ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AND EVERY DAY!

LOCATED AT 311 EAST 6TH AVENUE IN TARENTUM

TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY FROM 10-5

CLOSED MONDAY TO DUST

Rando pics @lequitalee

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!