Trove - A New Design Shop in Woodlawn
The owner, Karen Gathany, is a graphic designer who completed Create Birmingham’s Co.Starters entrepreneurship program last Fall. She started Trove as a pop-up shop before finding the store’s brick and mortar space in Woodlawn. Located in a private space behind the shop is the peaceful studio of licensed massage therapist Melissa Jane, who is available by appointment. Melissa previously practiced massage therapy at yoga studios and wellness facilities in Birmingham and Vestavia Hills. She provides a mix of Swedish and deep tissue massage techniques specifically adapted for each client’s needs.
Welcome to Woodlawn, Karen!
- Thanks! I thought this neighborhood was a great fit for my store. I love the proximity to Crestwood, Avondale, downtown, and the Woodlawn Cycle Cafe and the other shops here.
Trove Design Shop is an art and design focused gift shop and homewares shop featuring ceramics, handmade jewelry, cards, art, books, décor, and more.
- I love visiting unique little shops when I travel and I felt like Birmingham was missing a well-curated, artsy shop like this.
Trove Design Shop offers products from several local makers
You started in a SmallBox Company shipping container in Railroad Park last holiday season. What made you decide it was time for a permanent space?
- I arranged to rent the shipping container for just a six week period at the holidays, to do a pop up shop. I soon learned that I needed more square footage than a shipping container for my real store, but I originally didn’t intend to move as quickly as I did. I stopped doing full time graphic design work in 2018 and began a part time consulting position in March. This gave me flexibility to start looking for a space and planning for the shop when I was not working on the consulting job.
With the revitalization of downtown and Avondale, many small businesses are having a hard time finding an affordable space. Was it hard to find the right one?
- Finding a space took me about two and a half months. I wanted something under 1000 square feet, which was difficult to find in the Birmingham area. There are lots of large spaces available, but not much in the micro retail size. And budget was a challenge as well. As a brand new business I was on a low budget, so I couldn’t go into a brand new development. Luckily I found this space which the owner had recently renovated. I sub-rent the backroom to Licensed Massage Therapist Melissa Jane so we made a few changes to accommodate that, and being two helps with the rent!
Woodlawn has seen a lot of change the last few years. What would you like to see happening in Woodlawn the next 5 years?
- I hope more businesses continue to move into Woodlawn. I'd love to see a few more restaurants and retail shops open here. And I hope that the area just continues to grow and become a more popular destination for people in Birmingham.
Many of the “treasures” to be found at Trove are handmade and made to order. Some goods are made by Birmingham artisans including ceramics by Civil Stoneware and letterpress greeting cards by Big Wave Paper.
You are a graphic designer yourself, and you said you quit doing graphic design full time. Is all your focus now on the shop and the consulting, or do you still find time to be creative?
- I do still do freelance graphic design on the side, and I also paint and draw. So I dabble in creativity. I do have a few pieces of my own art for sale in the shop, and I hope to add more. But really, what I love is supporting other artists with my business. I love to be able to directly help other artists and makers continue doing what they're doing and grow their businesses.
On that note, any local businesses you would like to give a shout out to?
- Yes, the businesses contributing to the grand opening on Saturday: We will have beer from Ghost Train Brewing and coffee from Revelator. The Wild Honey Flower Truck will be here. Some of the makers represented in the shop that are local are Civil Stoneware, Big Wave Paper, i.may studio by Rachel Letcher, and Ashley Wingo, a local artist.
Mugs from Civil Stoneware specially ordered for Trove!
Anything else people should know about you and Trove?
- I really want to provide a place to find interesting goods that you can't find anywhere else in the city. I want people to feel like they walked into a shop in San Francisco or New York City, and be surprised to find it here in Birmingham. This area feels very much like the Mission District (in San Francisco) to me, just a total mix of types of people and diversity and all classes of people coming together. I also want a price range that is approachable. I don't want people to have sticker shock when they come here. I want there to be something for everyone. High quality design does not mean it's out of your budget. Come see what I've got, you might be surprised.
If you’re looking for a special item for your home or a unique gift, you’ll want to visit Trove!
The public is welcome to visit Trove Design Shop and Melissa Jane, LMT at their joint grand opening event on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 9am to 2 pm at 5532 1st Avenue N, Birmingham, AL 35212.
See you there!