Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Reitmeyer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Gremlina began in 2007 as a concept for selling vintage items on Instagram and FaceBook Marketplace. I’ve always loved the concept, and the time seemed right to give it a whirl. At first, I just sold things from my garage at home in Holly Springs. I also began working with my daughters, Ivy and Lacey, to display and sell at pop-up street fairs and art. We worked together at this but both of them had growing families that demanded their attention. Before long, I was the sole proprietor and looking for a more settled space to set up shop.
The next step was to move my inventory to local self-storage places where I could meet customers on a by-appointment basis. This was a step forward, but didn’t really allow me to display my beautiful things the way they deserved to be seen. Plus, Gremlina Vintage continued to grow and the need for a more “standard” store front with regular open hours would be the logical next step. This proved to be a major challenge, and it took me several years to find an affordable space that would meet the need.
Finally, after a number of relocations, Gremlina Vintage found its current home at Apex Flex, 1019 Investment Blvd., Suite 107, which provided the best of both worlds–flexible warehouse space for our expanding inventory and a lovely street-facing entry that made greeting and enjoying our customers possible. The place to settle in and GROW was mine at last!
We’re celebrating seven years at this location and hope to stay here for many years to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part of this journey has been finding just the right space for my business. Gremlina moved about ten times between 2007 and 2019, making it hard for my customers to keep track of us. Plus, moving a store full of ever-larger inventory was a bigger hassle every time.
Also, Gremlina Vintage has been a true “boot strap” enterprise. It has been grown from scratch using talent and funds directly from my own resources. I’m very proud to have built it without reliance on outside sources other than the support and labor of my husband, Dave, who provides encouragement and sweat!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In the first half of my life I was a stay-at-home mom and wife, raising my four children to adulthood and supporting my husband’s professional career. But I always dreamed of one day turning my creative nature into a profitable enterprise. When my kids were out on their own I jumped at the chance to explore my love for art and design and build a business suited to my strengths. I am proud of what I’ve done as the founder and owner of Gremlina Vintage; it’s everything I dreamed for my future.
And beyond the pleasure of building the store and becoming friends with so many customers is the deep satisfaction of developing my skill as an artist. I love that people are purchasing and displaying my paintings in their own homes. What a thrill!
I am proud to display my art here: instagram.com/dbreitmeyerart
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The best part of Gremlina Vintage is the people I meet every week, both shoppers who are as excited as I am about the things they find in my store, and the many fascinating places and people I encounter as I travel far and wide to add to my inventory.
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of making videos to share online, featuring the products in my store in a quirky, fun-loving way. This has been super popular, and I owe the success to one of my ten grandchildren–Evangeline. She’s the producer and director of these videos, and having her in the store had made being there even more enjoyable.
I look forward every day to being at Gremlina Vintage, surrounded by lovely things and beautiful customers. And when I’m not in the store, I am either out find more good things or painting the original art which has become a vital part of the Gremlina Vintage vibe. So much joy!
Pricing:
- Everything from small items to major furnishings.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gremlinavintage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gremlina
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gremlinavintage
