Page 336 - AmericasMart: Market Magazine July 2017

PRESENTATION SELLS
As for the rest of the store, Auman’s intent with the displays and décor was to create a colorful and eclectic space
“that felt like it was hugging you,” she says. She succeeded.
One of the most noticeable elements of
the store is the colorful umbrellas, opened and hanging upside-down from the ceiling. The umbrellas, each inspired by famous works of art, such as Tiffany glass or a Klimt painting, were an impulse buy one of her staff made at an AmericasMart Market. They struggled with where to display the umbrellas in the small store—a common dilemma in a space as small as hers—until hitting upon the one remaining unclaimed space: the ceiling. They’ve remained there ever since, glowing colorfully from the track lighting. According to Auman, she sells thousands of dollars’ worth of them
each year.
Beneath the umbrellas, a diverse range of fixtures—some of which were built by a friend, others chosen for their interesting details—display kitchen tools, hand- painted pottery, packaged gourmet foods, bar tools, and more. It’s a place to discover items you’ve never seen before: balsamic pearls, a nubby silicone dish scrubber, insulated stainless steel beverage cozies.
“I have a passion for finding something really cool and telling everyone about it,” says Auman. While she doesn’t insist on exclusivity from her suppliers, she does like unique, small-batch goods, especially imported goods that aren’t readily found in the area. Couleur Nature linens from France was one of her first lines she carried, and they are still shown hanging from a display and used as tablecloths on fixtures throughout the store. On a shelf behind the cash wrap lives a display of hand-painted ceramic guinea hens from Chic Rustique. “We sell the heck out of them,” says Auman.
“I have a passion for finding something really cool and telling everyone about it.”
Sarah Auman
A well-curated bottled wine selection
runs nearly the entire length of one store. Nearby, housed in an elaborately carved wooden cabinet, Auman has amassed an equally impressive assortment of wine and cocktail accessories, including glassware, cocktail jiggers, wine markers, bottled mixers, wine pearls, and silicone ice molds. For beer drinkers, she also fills growlers from taps in the back of the store, and, of
AmericasMart.com
course, offers pint glasses and other beer accessories to complement the craft
beer selection.
STOCKING THE RIGHT MIX
One thing that’s important to Auman is having a diverse enough assortment to ensure there’s a price point for everyone.
“When I first opened, I consciously thought, whoever comes in here is going to buy something, even it it’s a $3.99 bag of cookies.” And while there might be a $3,000 coffee maker available on the counter, there are plenty of smaller items, even under $5, to delight even the most penurious shopper.
Auman says her goals are to continue
to seek out out-of-the-ordinary goods at all price points for her customers to buy, and she’ll also continue to ensure that
her store is a welcoming haven that inspires lingering. “Selling in the south
is all about visiting—and I’m good at that!” she says.
Sarah Auman is owner of Out of the Blue in Blue Ridge, Ga. For more information, visit outofzebleu.com
Images: KLC Studios
306