Santa Maria Sun / Biz Brief

Spotlight on: Uptown Attic

BY KRISTINA SEWELL

Danika Randa is a self-proclaimed “stuff” lover; she loves to make and collect “stuff.” So when she decided to abandon her grueling Emergency Medical Technician career and open a consignment store specializing in unique “stuff,” it was a dream come true.

The good stuff: After 11 years in the medical field, Uptown Attic owner Danika Randa abandoned her scrubs for an unconventional business dealing in “stuff,” and lots of it. PHOTO BY KRISTINA SEWELL

Located in Orcutt, Uptown Attic opened four months ago after three months of preparation from Randa and her mother Joyce, who helped run the store before becoming ill.

Customers who walk through the doors of this one-of-a-kind business might not be sure where to look first. Snuggled in a cozy space, Randa’s store is filled top to bottom with hidden and unique treasures.

There’s a scattering of large and small pieces of furniture; a plethora of art for sale adorns the brightly painted walls. With so much to see, someone could get lost in Randa’s store for hours.

Randa and her mother had always thought about running their own business, but wanted to do something more original than opening a clothing boutique or coffee shop. With that in mind, Randa stuck to what she loves and opened a consignment boutique.

Selling a variety of new and used items, Randa gets her stock from local vendors and people just trying to get rid of things they don’t need anymore. Randa admitted that she especially loves anything handmade.

There are a number of dishes, antique utensils, wall art, clothes, shoes, handmade jewelry, a 1920s tea set, and wine glasses made from old mason jars—just to name a few of the items scattered around the store.

Randa’s father is what she likes to call a “starving artist,” and Randa inherited a flare for art. Randa loves to refinish furniture, paint, and has recently taken up crocheting. Typically, she sells her artwork and items in the store.

What Randa loves about owning and running Uptown Attic so far is all the people she gets to meet, and she loves providing a storefront for local artists and vendors. She also enjoys the more relaxed pace and reduced stress that comes with running her own business.

In the future, Randa said she’d like to expand to a bigger store, but for now she’s happy with wherever the store takes her.

 “Everything here has a story,” Randa said. “I love stuff and I get to be creative.”

Uptown Attic is at 4869 S. Bradley Road, Ste.  119, Orcutt. For more information, call 459-1433.

Highlights

• The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off its 93rd year with a black tie event and celebration at the Elks Lodge on Aug. 8.

Trent Benedetti will be formally installed as the Chamber’s new chairman of the board for 2012-13, and awards will be handed out for Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, and the Robert F. Grogan award for public service.

Costs are $45 for a single dinner, $80 for a couple, and $450 for a table of 12. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, from the $250 bronze level to the $1,000 gold level.

The Elks Lodge 1538 is at 1309 N. Bradley Road in Santa Maria.

To register, visit santamariavalleychamber.chambermaster.com or call 925-2403 for more information.

Staff Writer Kristina Sewell wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Highlights are written and compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.