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 backstory with our readers?
I got into the antique industry about 22 years ago. I was a stay at home mom and student learning Architecture and Interior Design. We had just bought a home and I wanted some old pieces for it. I found an architectural salvage place in Salt Lake City, Georges Salvage. After several hours and trips to George’s I asked if he was hiring. George said no but then said he’d “try me out” and see if I was a fit. I started the next day they were open. I LOVED it!! My work at George’s reinforced my home design and decor aesthetic around repurposing and using architectural salvage. Fast forward 7 years, another baby and a garage full of treasures, I decided to and open a booth at Vine Street Antiques and started working there. I learned so much about antiques, business and display from Rusty. When Rusty decided to close his store, I decided to open my own. I started a vintage/antique flea market called Bits and Pieces in a rented warehouse downtown. We were open once a month for 4 days and each month I worked hard to make it a totally new market for people to come see. Managing all the vendors and all the work to set up each month became too taxing so I moved on from Bits and Pieces, but I still had the bug and a lot of inventory. It was my husband who spotted a small space for rent next to our favorite Mexican restaurant in Millcreek. It was perfect. Smaller than a warehouse. Close to our home. Great landlord and reasonable rent. After a quick remodel I opened Millcreek Mercantile February of 2020: Just in time for the Covid outbreak. With the mandatory shutdowns, I was terrified I’d be closed before I really ever opened. Through all the ups and downs I’ve been lucky to have a supportive community for my tiny shop. We made it though. Millcreek Mercantile just celebrated it’s 5th anniversary! I love this little business of mine and my customers are the best I could ask for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are so many challenges running a small business. I basically wear all the hats of a large business by myself. I constantly second guess myself and it doesn’t help that antiques as a business is unpredictable. I’m never certain if I’m carrying the right merchandise, if I’ll find more merchandise, if my merchandise will sell, if my marketing is bringing in customers, if people still support small businesses, and on and on. There is a lot of hope that goes into running a small shop like mine.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in vintage and antique decor as well as some architectural salvage. Additionally, we offer interior design services and estate liquidation services. We offer appraisals , estate liquidation, interior design, prop rentals and custom painted furniture. We also make every effort to find items for customers if we know they want something specific.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is joy in the simple, everyday pursuits. Dinner with loved ones after working on something you enjoy, be that a garden at home, making a customer’s day or even cleaning your home all the way to shiny. Success is a lifestyle of contentment with your day-to-day balanced with just enough ambition to find new and exciting challenges every once in a while.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.millcreek-mercantile.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millcreekmercantileutah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millcreekmercantileutah
