Abilene App News: News: The Rusty Roost is Now Open

Readying The Roost

by Tracie Schardein

It all started with an idea; it always does. The RustyRoost, Abilene’s newest consignment marketplace, began as an idea page on Facebook for Tami Keller and Jenn Reitz to make and sell home decor. According to Ray Bradbury, “You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you,” which is exactly what they did. The journey to their store front at 319 N. Cedar included another location that fell through due to the building’s sale that they were planning on renting.

After a trip to Junkstock in Omaha at the end of June, they decided their dream deserved an address. When they saw the big garage doors on the South wall of the building they’re now renting, they didn’t need to see anything else; it provided the perfect backdrop for their “vintage/rustic/farmhouse” style according to Keller, who explained, “It was those doors that made us want to have this building. We overlooked everything else throughout the whole building and decided to go ahead with it.”

The doors that started it all . . . - photo by Tracie Schardein

As they readied their business for their planned opening day of October 23, their personal lives were also demanding attention. There were health problems resulting in two surgeries and recoveries for Reitz (one planned; the other as a result of the first) and the October 4 wedding of Keller’s daughter. Then, it was October 11, less than two weeks before their scheduled opening.

The two women were working at the building when a tractor burst through those very doors that had sealed the deal for them. “Jenn and I were in here working. I was painting a ceiling and she was over by those doors. All of a sudden we heard this crash. We walked through this door here

The doors that started it all . . . (very close to the garage doors) and saw the tractor had come through that door (the garage ones) and was here. It had ran the gentleman over. It could have been so much worse. He, luckily, thank the Lord, only had minor injuries.”

Some might take that as a sign, not of a door being opened, but to give up, but not these two.

“The door was in about 6 - 8 pieces, and my landlord with all his great ability put it all back together . . . all we had to do was repaint it. It was absolutely incredible,” said Keller. The burn marks on the floor by the doors serve as a visual reminder and conversation starter.

Despite all the obstacles, the store opened October 23 as planned. The pair celebrated their grand opening last Saturday with a ribbon cutting, radio remote, hot dogs, and the unveiling of the Holiday Room at the back of the store. Store hours are: Thursdays from 3 - 7; Fridays 11 - 6; Saturdays 10 - 5; and Sundays 12 - 5.

Co-owners Jenn Reitz and Tami Keller hug after the ribbon cutting at the grand opening of their business, The Rusty Roost, located at 319 N. Cedar, Abilene. - photo by Tracie Schardein

The store operates as a consignment shop with artists charged a monthly fee and a percentage of what they make from their sales. Their artists range from some with as few as five items in the store to one who needs a trailer to unload all the items. This type of set-up makes for mostly one-of-a-kind items and keeps inventory fresh. It also leaves little time for waffling about a purchase; you snooze and you’re likely to lose that item to another more decisive buyer.

According to the store’s Facebook page (where they currently have more than 1000 friends) they feature items that are “vintage, shabby chic, farmhouse, weathered, salvage, repurposed, cottage & locally made.” New artists are welcome. As their business gets off the ground, they hope that they’re followed by more than just their ideas and Facebook fans. The idea is to be as appealing to their customers as catnip to cats.