Wendy Steller’s career in antiquing started almost by accident. She owns Old Town Market in Old Orcutt with her husband, Mark. About eight years ago, she started decorating the corner store with antiques just for fun.
“And people wanted to buy them,” she said during an interview on the porch of her newest business, Déjà Vu Antique Mall at The Loading Dock.
The mother of four is passionate about antiquing: She’s wanted to open an antiques-only business for several years. When the space formerly known as Orcutt Brew Pub, formerly known as The Loading Dock, became available, she knew it was meant to be. Steller said a friend recommended the name because the original Loading Dock served as a coffee shop/antique store.
“It’s the right time, it’s the perfect fit,” Steller said of the location. “It’s been a long-time dream.”
So she started calling some of her friends in the antiques business for help. It wasn’t long before she had 25 dealers signed up to sell furniture and other items at her location—and there are currently 11 people on a waiting list.
Déjà Vu is set up like an old-fashioned bazaar with rows of booths decorated in different styles. One is French shabby-chic with the components of a metropolitan boudoir; another is popular Americana with vintage A&W and Coca-Cola signs. Antiquing novices and seasoned pros alike could easily spend hours exploring the store’s vast depths.
Steller’s doors are open every day but Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. People are welcome to peruse the shelves, or just sit outside and chat over complimentary coffee.
The shop, which overlooks the Orcutt hills, has plenty of places to sit and relax, whether it’s a cute wrought-iron patio table or a wooden hope chest.
“This is something that should be shared,” Steller said of the breathtaking view. “It’s part of Orcutt.”
She recounted one of her first days at her new location: “There were cows walking along the fence, and rabbits on the grass, and squirrels. I felt like Snow White.”
Another way Steller shares the space is through events, such as the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation Chalk Festival to be held Sept. 28 and 29 on Broadway Street between Déjà Vu and Trattoria Uliveto. The arts and crafts vendors will be selling their wares in the Déjà Vu parking lot.
“We definitely need to keep the arts in our schools, but the funding just isn’t there,” said Steller, who serves on the foundation board.
She plans to start holding more events, including wine tasting and vendor events, in early 2014.
Déjà Vu Antique Mall at The Loading Dock is located at 315 S. Broadway St. in Old Orcutt.
For more information, call 314-2409 or visit dejavuldantiques.net.
Managing Editor Amy Asman wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
