Stores within stores is a nationwide trend. Antique malls have long rented space to individual vendors. However, booths of new retail items, up-cycled items, and original artwork are appearing in large, repurposed retail spaces. Daisy's Designer Alley at 3121 Battleground Avenue, a few doors up from Lowe's, has attracted a great assortment of shops. The above photo features one of their newest vendors, Kier Skipper, who makes furniture, food serving boards, and other items out of reclaimed wood. He never cuts down a tree; he only harvests wood from trees that are already dead. In 2015, Skippy saved 700 trees; in 2016, 1,200; in 2017, 1,800. If the trend continues, we should expect him to save over 2,500 trees in 2018. He even has some reasonably-priced, scrap pieces that crafters could use for their own art projects. He tries to save every little bit of those hardwoods that get blown over in storms. Some of the wood is sealed with polyurethane and some is left natural. (Skippy says he can tell by the smell of the polyurethane how far along it is in the drying process).
We met up with Skippy as he was hauling in items for his booth. He is a U.S. Army veteran who enjoys his newfound career an a woodworker. Skippy still had quite a bit to load in when we left. Stop by his booth, Dang Skippy, Inc., and have a look at his great selection at Daisy. If you have some unique request, inquire at his e-mail address, [email protected]. It will be interesting to see where this new start-up venture leads him. If you are lucky, you will meet Skippy in person. He is optimistic, upbeat, easy to talk to, and always seems to be smiling.
Good portrait of him!
Posted by: William Kendall | Monday, December 18, 2017 at 05:50 PM