Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Sleight.
Hi Melanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Since my teenage years, I’ve been drawn to the old. I loved the shabby and threadbare; the worn through and frayed. My family kept a small farm and the primary color seemed to be rust. Maybe that’s where I got the bug.
When I married my wonderful husband, he thought I was crazy because I asked him to hang our old farm gate on the wall. I loved the peeling barn-red paint, the sun-silvered wood, and the time-worn hardware.
I started rehabilitating furniture for our home and collecting cast-off pieces. Eventually, this lead to work at an architectural salvage company, where my obsession rose to a whole new level. While working there, the green movement started to really catch on.
I loved to set up booths at green events to show people how to repurpose unexpected items into their homes. Doors became paneling or fireplace mantels. Rusted turbine vents became table lamps. I loved that something could be re-used and beautiful. Not everything should be disposable.
Working in architectural salvage meant a profusion of new, old treasures. I often took my pay in vintage, antiques, and salvage. Soon my garage became a miniature of the salvage yard. Where to put it all? So, I decided to rent a booth at an antique/vintage mall. When that location closed I opened my own store, Bits, and Pieces, a small antique mall with a few vendors.
Now I have my own little shop, Millcreek Mercantile, with a mix of vintage and antiques as well as a hint of the modern artisan. Well, I guess Millcreek Mercantile belongs to Chloe too – she’s my Aussie Shepherd and almost never misses a day of work.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is really smooth going when you own your own business. Owning a business has many battles, from financial to personality conflicts. Working hard is the constant. Don’t forget about money worries. Usually, it feels as though it’s too little money. When you have a good month or string a couple together, then you wonder about how to reinvest or reserve the money.
Without an accountant, you have to calculate everything yourself; all the ins and the outs. Taxes can be a nightmare unless you have a wonderful husband that knows what he is doing. Like taxes, you need to know how to navigate the city, county, and state government. While I believe most of the regulations are there to help keep everyone safe, it can feel overwhelming at times. It’s very easy to get frustrated.
In the end, you are in charge of everything. If something goes wrong it is all on you as the owner. Even when you give it your all, there are downtimes when it can feel like failing, but don’t give up. I have learned so much in the last 5 years and I wouldn’t change anything.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When people come to Millcreek Mercantile, I want them to see that old doesn’t mean useless. Like everyone’s grandma used to tell them – waste not, want not. I travel throughout the region to find merchandise that I consider art people can use. Millcreek Mercantile is a curated experience with vignettes that show the utility of these beautiful pieces.
I love to repurpose. A window or old molding can make a fantastic picture frame. A door can become a striking table or bench. I try to encourage my customers to think about these pieces in new ways. By reusing or repurposing an old wooden or metal piece, we might save one tree or keep a few feet of earth from being mined. If we all make these choices, it can really add up.
I’ve also found that I can offer distinctive artisan products for use throughout the home. I try to shop carefully and find products that are responsibly made, generally in small batches by human hands. I’m also very particular about packaging and try to avoid unnecessary plastics when possible. I’ve been able to find an array of amazing soaps, candles, and towels among other things.
In college, earning a degree in interior design, I learned a lot about the shifting demands that drive that business. While the design is a constantly changing world, using vintage and antique home decor can be extraordinary and eco-friendly.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It’s never going to be easy, so if you don’t love it, move on.
Contact Info:
- Email: millcreekmerc@gmail.com
- Website: www.millcreek-mercantile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millcreekmercantileutah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millcreekmercantileutah
