04/30/2026
One of the reasons I love having Hummingbird Home set up in the beautiful Main St. Mercantile & CO. Is because of this sweet lady here!
So, as we close out April and welcome in May, let's give our fearless leader Kim a face behind the brand! We couldn't do what we do without her & she is multi talented with the biggest heart!
I'll let her tell you her story.
"Hmmm… what got me into this business? I started out loving to create things. As time went on, I discovered I just love stuff! I like buying stuff, making stuff, repurposing stuff, painting stuff—you get the idea, I’m sure! While that all sounds good, it can also become a headache. Too much stuff!
So, to be able to continue with my love of all things, I decided I could sell my stuff. First, I did craft shows and was very successful with that endeavor for a while. Eventually, my body told me, “Hey, you are getting way too old to be lugging all this stuff around.” So… that’s when I decided it would be easier on this old body to have a space in a shop.
That sounds all good until things just didn’t pan out as I thought they would. While having spaces in two different shops and feeling neither of them was a good fit, I decided I just wasn’t meant to be doing that.
At that time, I was also a substitute teacher. I had heard a rumor that one of the student’s moms was going to be opening a shop here in Richmond, and I would pester that student all the time, asking her when her mom was going to open. It had been quite some time, and I hadn’t given it much thought when, out of the blue, her mom called and asked if I might be interested in becoming a vendor at her shop.
I had to give it some serious thought because of my bad experiences with the other two shops. But… the creativity in me and my love of stuff finally got me to give in to my passion. After meeting with Melissa a couple of times, I felt really comfortable and thought, “Hey, this might actually work.”
I’ve been with Melissa since the beginning, and we’ve become more than friends—we’re like sisters from another mother. After five years at Flora’s, the opportunity for Melissa to purchase the shop next door became a reality. But Melissa said only if I would be her partner at the Mercantile.
At first, I was a bit apprehensive. I told Melissa, “I’m too old to do that,” but with some coercion, she twisted my arm—and here I am, still at the Merc, and I love it!
Thanks, Melissa, for believing in me. I love what I do, and I love you!"
Love you right back Kim!
Come in this weekend & see what's new at The Merc! Can't wait to see you!
