Architectural Salvage News Article July/August Issue

Lately I’ve been hearing from peers in the industry that business is slowing down and at times this seems like an understatement. The housing market instability has slowed remodeling projects and the gas prices are making shipping and delivery costly for all of us.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us can’t afford to ride out the storm rather we must use our ingenuity to create new revenue streams. One area that we at Island Girl Salvage are exploring is cross promotional merchandising. Most communities have an area of high end boutiques geared towards those not affected by the everyday fluctuations in the markets. We’ve partnered up with just such a boutique in Chicago.

C’est Moi on Damen Ave in Chicago offers French inspired home décor items to its extensive and loyal clientele. Owner Anne Chalesle carries the best in Pine Cone Hill Linens, Company C Rugs, dinnerware, Sabre Silverware, new baby décor gifts such as David Fussenegger Throws, and personal care items. Her inventory is constantly changing with the latest trends in home décor but her display units weren’t.

Anne and I had been casually talking about partnering on some level to increase sales for both of our businesses. Island Girl Salvage is off the beaten track so bringing customers into the physical store is a constant battle for us. C’est Moi has a great location in Chicago within a high traffic area surrounded by several boutiques for a unique shopping experience. Anne wanted to try some vintage items to be used as display units but also be for sale. We handpicked some French inspired items such as a café table and chair set, a brass bed, and a red leather trunk. We’ve also brought in columns and some stained glass.

“My customers are pleased with the new accents in the store and excited about what will show up next. Architectural salvage and vintage items have punched up my existing merchandise and filled in with new colors and textures that I didn’t have before” says Anne Chalesle owner of C’est Moi in Chicago. It’s a win; win for both of us. Anne receives the benefit of new merchandise and we receive a new outlet for our inventory. There are no secrets here; we are telling our customers about each other because we have such different businesses we are able to compliment each other and provide a broader service and introduction to our customers. Customers buying Pine Cone Hill linens from Anne may also need a fabulous vintage light fixture to hang over a table or bed. An Island Girl Salvage customer comes in for a door to use as a headboard and we’ll turn them onto C’est Moi for linens. That’s where a successful cross promotion program will take you. We’ve taken the opportunity in introducing a new option in home décor to Anne’s customers that isn’t being done today.

We are creating a stronger awareness of both our businesses and along the way have created a strong personal bond between us. Anne has been a pleasure to work with. It’s been a wonderful team effort and I’m excited about the future of both of our businesses.

C’est Moi is located at 2129 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647. Phone number is 773-269-2116, Website is http://www.cestmoi.us/

Island Girl Salvage is located at 160 Kelly Street, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.
Phone number is 847-593-2433, Website is http://www.islandgirlsalvage.com/