Page 335 - AmericasMart: Market Magazine July 2017

TABLETOP AND GIFT/GOURMET & HOUSEWARES
READY FOR EVERYTHING
Her role as shopkeeper is a second career for Auman, who ran the commercial and corporate division for an Atlanta photo and camera store for 30 years. When she and her partner bought property in Blue Ridge in 1999, the downtown area didn’t have much to offer, but Auman could see the potential, and she knew one thing: When Blue Ridge’s downtown retail district finally came into its own, she wanted to be a part of it.
She found a 400-square-foot retail stall in a building and started small, selling items such as Bella Cucina gourmet foods, hammocks and fire pits, as well as a small rack of wines.
That was 14 years ago, and Out of the Blue has evolved significantly, taking over the entire storefront, albeit still a cozy space. When she renovated, Auman insisted on a full kitchen, wisely knowing that the kitchen is always the heart of a home and the focal point of a party.
The kitchen ended up being a smart investment: she paid for the renovation with a series of cooking classes, and a chef, Hans Rueffert, filmed several seasons of a cooking show that aired on the local public broadcasting station.
Today it’s not used for much more than chilling water for the soda maker or warming up a baguette to sample some cheese, but customers still gravitate to the island bar in the kitchen to chat with Auman as if they were guests in her home.
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