(notice one of my wreaths in the photo!)
New downtown Grand Rapids store Minty Keen offers eclectic mix of kitchy antiques, craftsby Chris Knape
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GRAND RAPIDS -- Something old, something new, something to take home with you.
That's the idea behind Angie Seabert's new store, Minty Keen, the latest addition to downtown's retail scene.
The store opened this week inside a Ledyard Building storefront at 125 Ottawa Ave. NW Suite 170, which was most recently home to A Modern Event. That store moved to 648 Monroe Ave. NW.
Minty Keen offers an eclectic mix of kitchy antiques, crafts from local artisans and other gift items.
"A lot of it actually came from working downtown at Eastern Floral," Seabert said, explaining the concept for the store. "I really saw a need for things that were geared toward people visiting the city. A lot of them don't have cars. They're kind of stuck downtown and there's only a few places to shop."
Seabert, who sports horn-rimmed glasses and a look that's a throwback to the 1940s or '50s, bills the store as an eco-friendly shop since most of the crafts use recycled materials while the vintage goods provide a chance to reuse high-style items from years gone by.
"For me, it's really more for fun," she said. "I'm not expecting to get rich over this. I just saw a need and I figured if it works out well, great. At some point, it would be great to have this be our family business and have it go that way."
For now it's a one-woman show. Seabert said she hopes to host knitting and crafting groups and spend slower moments working on her own sewing projects. Don't be surprised to see her two kids playing Legos or trains in the shop's retro play area.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays though Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
