MoMo NoMo
I was told I should start a blog on the website. It seems like a good idea, but I do tend to get a little too personal for something so professional as this business site. BUT. That is how I have dealt with so much of my business over my life, so let’s give it a shot. I will not give away anything personal about any of my clients here ever.
Today is the final day that the business known as MoModerne will exist in the capacity that it has for over 15 years. The photo that goes with this article is of our last main shopkeeper, Dylan, as we surveyed this incredible space that we were about to rent, my partner and I. I loved it, but the expense was massive. And for me, that expense is what made me eventually feel we should stop the brick n mortar.
This would be our third location, the first being a small gallery on Cherokee that cost just $300 a month! The second was our main location on Watson in Webster Groves, which jumped to an eventual $3800 a month. At the time though, of this third location at the Foundry, it was very exciting, and was going to punch up the presence of the shop. And we had just recently broken the estate sale business away in a permanent fashion by changing the name of that part of the job to MoMo, with new fun branding.
Anyway, it was an exciting time. But now it is 3 years later and my presence is completely removed. MoModerne has changed to something else which is also exciting and interesting. As I think of the shop as it was, I have so many fond memories. It really was a place for me to explore a design expression and marketing curiosity. A large portion of the items in the shop over time were items I identified and sourced. However, I could never put it in the shop and make it look as good as my partner could . That was her VERY strong ability; her super power. But I could see the pieces in someone’s home, and talk my way into purchasing the items and bring it to the shop for her to make even more beautiful. When a customer came in and saw that beauty and decided to use their earned dollars to move that piece now into their own home, I was so proud. It really was what we were there for. My sourcing and her curation made MoModerne what people came to recognize as a premier location for design. We each had a part in it, and I love what it became.
I am heartbroken that it did not work out. There are so many reasons. But for me it was mostly just the cost of operating. It doesn’t mean it was not successful, because I know it was. But some things just do cost too much, in monetary and other means. I look forward to seeing what new things come into the Foundry space. I look forward to seeing what the evolution of the estate sale business becomes. I hope people are along for the ride.
