Lexington, KY - When two best friends discover a shared passion, what better way is there to enjoy that common interest than to share it with the world? In an unsuspecting shopping center on Regency Road you'll find the amalgamation of Kathryne Wiseman's and Terry Wood's imaginations.
Street Scene is a vintage store supplemented by more than a few modern kicks, including TOMS shoes (an activist shoe company that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased) and consignment items by local artists. As best friends, Wiseman and Wood loved talking about things their grandmothers had -
and even more, they loved shopping for, decorating with and wearing these pieces. As business partners, they discovered a way to incorporate their eclectic tastes with their favorite old things into a successful, community-driven retail destination.
Another friend of this pair of fashionistas, Sherry Feeney, an interior designer, helped Wiseman and Wood with the initial planning for Street Scene. "[Feeney] is great at keeping your space you," Wood said. "She works with what you have."
"[Feeney's help] got us excited about trying to save this old stuff," Wiseman said.
Wiseman and Wood's passion has endeared them to a number of others in the business, from individuals to proprietors of whole estates.
"On Mondays, we do buying. [People] like the idea of their things finding a good home," Wiseman said. "It's a good situation for everyone - finding a home, finding someone who loves [the items]."
In addition to buying from individuals and estate sales, Street Scene occasionally does consignment. "People can bring us anything, as long as [the item] would retail for at least $50 -
mostly furniture," said Wood, who owns the adjoining Coffee Times coffee house. She added that the store also accepts local art on consignment, including handmade fashion, jewelry, visual art and home decor items.
Consigning local art, jewelry and fashion design is one of several ways the store, a proud member of Local First Lexington, remains so highly regarded, by customers and business owners alike, in Lexington. "That's kind of our way of keeping the local feel, so that we can promote other people [in the community]," Wiseman said.
Street Scene's position in Lexington's unique community of local businesses has grown significantly since the store opened in July of 2007. "Whether you live or visit here, you like to find places that reflect the community," Wood said. "I have a real passion for meeting customers and wanting to give back to them. Being able to do business with someone who does business with me - you sort of build on that. We like to patronize people who are experiencing the same struggles we are. Small businesses seem to really care about promoting [each other]."
In Wiseman's words, Street Scene and the other small businesses in the area, are "all an expression of Lexington and what Lexington is."