We're One Year Old!
Reflection of Year One
On November 3, 2023, Roots & Roost, Co. officially opened its doors, bringing a lifetime of love for vintage finds and antique treasures into a real, brick-and-mortar store. What began as an almost 30-year-old hobby—scouring garage sales, flea markets, and antique shops, repurposing furniture, and finding unique decor—turned into a shop after a “pop-up antique store” I hosted during a weekend garage sale.
In a town that hadn’t seen an antique store for over 15 years, I figured the community was ready for something special. We became the third antique shop in the county. So, when I signed the lease on a space that felt like “home” right away, the journey to bring Roots and Roost to life began. And what a journey it was!
a preview of what’s to come, featuring a pop-up antique store at the garage sale
Getting Started
Building the Dream: From Truckloads of Furniture to Teamwork
In Weeks 2-3, I started gathering truckloads of display furniture and stock. Of course, I was out of town for the first delivery, but my wonderful friends Garret and Melinda met the van and unloaded every last piece, organizing it perfectly so we could fit more in later.
Week 3-4 came, and I realized I needed a bookkeeper to handle all the details I hadn’t thought about. Diego, you’ve kept me sane with your patience and willingness to take my frantic calls!
Reviving the Space: Uncovering Brick, Fresh Paint, and the Power of a Dream Team
Weeks 5-7 were a whirlwind of transforming the space—demoing drywall to reveal a beautiful old brick wall, changing out the lighting, painting, building shelving, and scrubbing the floors (and yes, getting a lot of paint off the floor from my cash-out station DIY!). Huge thanks to Nain and Corona Construction, Kyle and the Lawson Painting crew, and Carmen and the Corona Cleaning team for helping make the store feel so fresh and unique.
Roots and Roost Comes to Life: Staging the Perfect Antique Charm for Opening Day
Finally, in Week 7, with Courtney, Carmen, Ronit, and Carrie, we staged every corner of the shop, arranging furniture and displays and creating that “homey” antique vibe I’d always imagined. And just like that, in one incredible day, Roots and Roost was ready to welcome its first guests!
November 2, 2023: Opening Party
November 3, 2023: Doors Opened!
Gratitude, Community, and the Start of Year 2: A Heartfelt Thank You from Roots and Roost
I’ll never forget the love and support we felt from friends, family, and everyone who showed up to make our opening day unforgettable. Sara from Adorn, the previous tenant of my shop, was invaluable in helping me get everything set up—logistics, layout, furniture, gear—you name it. And Kirstie from The Find Co., (another antique store “nearby” … which around here means about an hour away!) didn’t hesitate for a second to offer advice and support when I reached out.
And to the wonderful dealers who filled not just my floors and shelves but my heart with treasures and wisdom, you’ve all helped make this dream a reality.
To Our Community: Thank you for your encouragement and for letting us be part of your stories. You bring us family treasures to find new homes through the shop, and every one of those pieces is a reminder of why we’re here. Our mission has always been simple: to keep Routt County in Routt County. We’re honored to help preserve local history and memories in every piece that finds a new home through us. And to those who left little treasures outside the shop as a welcome—those are cherished more than any “first sale dollar.” They’re a daily reminder of your warmth and kindness.
To Our Customers: Thank you for coming in, trusting us to help you find that “special something,” and sharing your stories. We’re so grateful for the friendships and conversations we’ve had, and we’re touched every time we can help you find a keepsake that fills your heart and home.
To My Family: To my husband, Marcus, who barely blinked when I took him out to dinner and announced, “I signed a lease and I’m opening an antique store!” To my kids, Jack, Hank, and Maeve—I hope watching your mom chase this dream has shown you the beauty of learning new skills, facing challenges, and asking for help when you need it. Thank you for pitching in, delivering furniture, running the shop, and supporting me every step of the way. This truly is a family business.
Reflection
As I look back on our first year, I’m filled with gratitude. We’ve collected treasures from families across Routt County, traveled as far as California and Texas to bring unique pieces to the store, and found ways to blend the past and present with local items like specialty foods, body care, and candles. And we’ve been blessed with an incredible team—Kate, Leslie, Maeve, Katherine, Caroline, Danielle, Millie, and Claire—who are as passionate about this place as I am.
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of our story so far. Roots and Roost is here because of you. We’re excited to start Year 2 with even more treasures, memories, and joy to share. Can’t wait to see you in the store!
