Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Vincent McClure.
Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m one of the many Austinites who moved here to go to U.T. a long time ago and never moved away. In this time, I’ve seen so much change in Austin, but it is still very much a home to me.
I feel fortunate to be a small business owner in this community. I own two vintage shops on South Lamar called Show & Tell and Potluck. I focus on curated vintage decor, furniture, fashion, and art at both shops. As well, I work with over twenty other dealers at Potluck, which is named accordingly, because everyone brings something different “to the table.”
I got into the business of vintage because the quest for exceptional pieces has always completely consumed me. I grew up drawn to people, objects, and environments with atypical qualities. For some reason, I just never felt inspired by things and experiences that felt common or mass-produced. That tendency has always informed my work.
I started selling vintage in Austin in 2002 and I was lucky to have been a vendor at some fabulous stores. I got much of my early experience as a vendor at Room Service, where I was able to work with and learn from my friends, Lucretia Sisk, the former owner, and Audrie San Miguel, who is the current owner. I also sold in a few other shops over the years before I had the desire and the time to start my own place.
Part of the timing component was my other professional passion, education. For many years, I was a teacher while I also sold vintage. I had two separate professional interests that I each cared about deeply and I had a hard time letting go of one or the other. But eventually, I decided to take a year off of education and to focus more on my family and on vintage. In that year, the business grew enough that I couldn’t return to education.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Those of us who have been in the vintage scene for a while have seen things change dramatically. This is a wonderful thing overall, because people who used to be turned off by the idea of vintage are now some of its biggest enthusiasts and they recognize its importance to our planet.
However, one of the effects of this widespread appreciation is increased competition and higher pricing. I price items based on what I pay for them and I just don’t find as many good deals as I used to. I have to pay a significant amount for many of my designer and particularly rare pieces, so those are priced accordingly, but I still work hard to keep affordably priced items in both stores. As well, I stock items like fragrances and incense to keep accessible pieces in stores at times when there are fewer deals to be had. I try to remind myself that while higher inventory prices are a challenge for business, they are also a consequence of the growing popularity of vintage, which is a great thing for our planet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently feature vintage interiors pieces (furniture, pottery, art, etc.) at Show & Tell, as well as original art by a handful of contemporary artists. I also sell interiors pieces at my second shop, Potluck, along with clothing, accessories, and more. I have an incredible group of collaborators who sell at Potluck with me, which allows us to provide a huge selection for our customers.
Round Top is another essential part of my business. I sell with a group of incredibly talented people at Marburger Farm during the fall and spring shows every year. Each Round Top show allows me to engage with my community of vintage dealers as well as with existing and new clientele from near and far. It’s always exciting to connect with people who love vintage and exceptional pieces.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I am proud that we provide a vast selection of curated vintage to our customers, who range from regular people who love interesting things to prominent interior designers. And while good design is everything to me, what’s most important is good people. I am infinitely grateful that my work provides me with the opportunity to connect with so many inspiring members of our community… we connect as fellow vintage-lovers, as fans of good design, or simply as humans who care about our world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showandtell_austin and https://www.instagram.com/potluckvintageaustin
