Day 26

A Bit of History on Italy Ava

continued......

Fun Facts

I originally was suppose to open Italy Ava with my mom and right before signing the lease she decided she couldn't make it work with her full-time job..  Her and my dad still renovate and upcyle pieces on consignment at Italy Ava and will host our Autumn Trunk Show..  I also think my mom stated she wasn't sure if she could take me bossing her around on a daily basis.

My first knowledge of artistically being different  is back in kindergarten, we had to decorate these ginger bread men and for a lack of better words mine stuck out like a sore thumb..  He was bedazzled (which I totally would of had the bedazzler if they made it as a child)  to the max..  I remember Mrs. Johnson telling me my gingerbread guy didn't need anymore decorating and feeling devastated because he needed that last pop of yarn...

March 2011 I make a huge business decision..I decide to open store-front..  Since I had started designing back in 2010 it was my short term goal but never expected it to happen so soon..  My husband knowing my thoughts, goals, ambitions and what I wanted out of  Italy Ava, scouts out a small window-front space to rent on 3rd.  I'll never forget that phone conversation..  Laura it's small but it has potential, I really think this space could work for you..  I remember saying saying, "what if everybody hates my stuff and nobody visit's my store".  After much reassurance and support from my family and friends, I sign the lease.  We take 2 months to renovate the space, and  I immediately market my website and facebook for potential consignment artist.  I open May 2011 with: Nessa's Naturals, Vintage Inspired, Pod, Mariannes Bib's, and Nima Nae.. All 5 of these designers/artist are  still with us and we've now grown to over 40..  

In my wildest dreams, I never ever expected my business to take off the way it did and have so many people from the community support me.  Everything seemed perfect other than the fact I was growing out of my space and very quickly..  I kept thinking of options on how I could make it work and we poured so much time and money into this space..I loved looking out at the old library and post office..there was just this quaintness to 3rd Street that I adored...

 So the search begins..........

Here is a few pictures from memory lane: