April James continues to dream

r By April James

I heard a quote once that said, “Some people dream big dreams, others wake up and make them happen.” I’m a big thinker. I’m not afraid to dream big. I believe that we all have it within us to create the things in life that we want most. I also believe that as we use our gifts and talents to bless those around us, our dreams are brought to a reality in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It may not always work out how we thought it would, but it will work out, and we will be better for having tried.

Sometimes it’s in the “trying” that we find out what our dreams are really about. Sometimes the trying and trying again is what the journey is all about. We try, we learn what works and what doesn’t work, and then we use that understanding to try again, differently.

That brings me to now. I’ve had a dream, and I’ve done my best to make it become a reality. I dreamed of this unique shop where people could come and be inspired. It would be a place where the broken, lost and forgotten are given a new life. Where the power of creativity is fostered and memories are made. Broken things could be fixed, and mended and then loved in a whole new way. In my dream, this shop was more than just a store, it was an experience. Slowly this dream became reality. With Phil and my family at my side painting, hauling, and endlessly packing trailers full of “stuff” we built my dream and invited all of you in. You came and I watched as many of you caught a glimpse of my dream. We have laughed a lot, and cried a little. And that’s why I do what I do. I do it because, in your eyes, I see what I dreamed about.

Almost every dream has had a plot twist. There always seems to be something unexpected and often not understood. And so it is with this dream of mine. Our plot is taking a sudden twist and things are about to change. Dreams don’t pay bills. The cost of doing business, in the way we have been trying to do it, is just too high for what our current sales can support. The time is come to make changes. And so with that, September 23rd will be our last day of our business as it is now and we are looking for someone to lease our space.

We are so very thankful for all of you who have been such a big part of our store. You are our friends. We all know that when one door closes, another one opens and we are excited to see what comes next in our journey, we hope you will come along for the ride!