Tales of this shopkeeper......Inspiration Thursday

Today was the day.  Inspite of the gloomy, rainy morning I was so looking forward to my big idea for the day.  I have hired a girl for Thursdays now so I can hunt for treasures and visit other shops for inspiration.
So...I leave the house to stop at the bank for change for the register and make a quick run to the shop to fill the cash drawer.  I decide to turn on the twinkle lights for Jennifer just to greet her on this gray morning.
As I'm leaving, Jennifer comes round the corner.."Oh, Marykay, it's suppose to get really bad this afternoon.  The temperature is suppose to drop 40 degrees and get windy and stormy." she says, concerned.  "Really, I say, "I hadn't heard all of that".  I'm thinking a 40 degree drop would make it in the teens and then ice and should I even try to go anywhere?  "Can I close if I need to go pick my kids up from school if it's bad?" Jennifer is saying.  "Yes, of course, just put the sign on the door" I tell her.  I get in my car and quickly call my husband as I head for the highway.  Nothing seems to be on the radar that even compares to that report so I continue on my way.
An hour and forty five minutes later I'm on Hwy 13 and in the middle of country.  There's an intersection up ahead with a red flashing light.  I turn right at the light.  On my right is a gas station and this sign......

I have arrived at my destination!  Up the hill and into a very quaint little town I come to what seems to be the center.  There on the corner, across from the pharmacy is "Urban Farmhouse" a business that I have been following online for several years.  It has inspired me and encouraged me so I am happy to actually be seeing this business in the flesh (or brick).
It is housed in a wonderful old brick building with great windows for display.  It is raining harder now and I try to get a picture of the outside but taking it through the car window is just silly...look for yourselves.

I must explain.....once I finally got here I felt funny about taking pictures.  I'm never very comfortable when people are snapping pictures inside my shop so I wasn't comfortable doing it myself.  To actually see beautiful pictures of Urban Farmhouse and the goods inside go to: http://www.myurbanfarmhouse.com/ or http://www.urbanfarmhouse.blogspot.com/.
The shop is everything I imagined and more with vintage treasures and beautifully painted furniture.  Once inside I began just wandering around and enjoying everything.  Birds were chirping in a cage near the counter as the Fed Ex guy came in with a package.  The pleasant lady behind the counter was chatting quietly with him when from the back of the shop a younger lady walked in with a camera.  She seemed on a mission and was going about taking pictures of different items.  I was thinking to myself....I wonder if this is a photographer from a magazine?
There were so many things I would have liked to treat myself to but I ended up with a few nice treasures.....

Love these!  The soap smells wonderful!

When I went to the counter I asked if Lisa, the owner, was there.  "That's Lisa" the sweet lady said pointing to the photographer behind me.  So I introduced myself and we chatted a bit.  Lisa has been doing this for ten years.  A real veteran in my book and she is a very sweet down to earth type of person.  The lady behind the counter was her mom!  How special is that? And, yes, I got up enough nerve to ask to take a picture of this precious mom and daughter....I am sorry I didn't ask for mom's name:(

Urban Farmhouse recently participated in the first "Vintage Marketplace" held in Henderson, Tenn.  There is another one coming up in Springfield, Ohio in May.  Go to: http://www.vintagemarketplace.com/ for more info.
Also in May.... The Rural Society Antique and Garden Show at Warwick Farm in Mt. Vernon, Ohio

Visit http://www.theruralsociety.com/ for more info. Urban Farmhouse will be there.  I hope to make it to several of these shows this year.   So....I actually made it to one of my favorite spots in Ohio and it was everything I had imagined:)  The trip is worth it if you're thinking you'd like to go.  I am once again inspired!
Once I left Thornville I headed to Lancaster, Ohio to pick up Hwy 22. Along the way I spied this.....Rush Creek General Store...www.rushcreekgeneralstore.com

It's apparently about a year old and very clean inside.  A mixture of vintage, antiques and crafty things it is set up in booths and I enjoyed wandering through.  The lady behind the counter was very nice and friendly.  I noticed this...

I ask how much it is and the lady calls the owner.  It is a peddlar's cart on wrought iron wheels.  The cubbies are on BOTH sides with doors that close up.  There is a door in the top that opens up for storage.  Loved it!

I am in a Ford Focus today so "no go".  But....I did find this and have all kinds of ideas for it.

I head out of Lancaster on Hwy 22 through towns like Circleville and Williamsport.  The rain has let up and I'm enjoying the time to myself.  One more stop for the day....the town of Washington Courthouse where another favorite shop graces the Main Street.

Memories Gate began as an antique shop and has slowly turned into painted vintage.  It is warm and inviting with a large selection of painted beauties.  I am disappointed that the owners are gone today but the shop next door which shares an entrance is open and I am able to wander around Memories Gate.  Jill, who is manning both shops is friendly and bubbly.  Good customer service I think to myself.  I leave a short note on Memories Gate counter and head for home.  Find Memories Gate at: http://www.memoriesgate.net/