Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Hoeksema & Rita Pniewski.
Hi Kathy & Rita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Porch & Co. is a retail store specializing in repurposed and restored vintage and antique furniture, new and used gift items, clothing, one of a kind artisan wares, and vintage and antique home decor. We opened in January, 2022 on Holton Road in Muskegon, MI. with a group of 18 independent small business owners selling cooperatively out of one store. Formerly located within The Front Porch in downtown Muskegon, the group searched out a new location when the owner retired from the retail industry. A massive porch at the new location led to a name change: The Porch & Co.
Spring of 2023 brought news that our building had been sold and was scheduled for demolition.
We opened in our current location, 4949 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI in September, 2023, where we were able to expand to over 40 artisan, gift ware, clothing, vintage and antique furniture and home decor businesses located under one roof.
Our goal is to offer customers a unique blend of merchandise at affordable pricing. Our talented merchants are experts at taking “cast offs” and repurposing/refinishing them into lovely, artful pieces ready for a new home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With the loss of two business locations in three years, Rita Pniewski and Kathy Younts Hoeksema, co-owners of The Porch & Co., have become proficient in making unexpected business plan changes. We’ve learned that flexibility and adaptability are important skills to incorporate into every aspect of our business. Along with the disappointments of each move came positive support – from our merchants, our customers, our family and friends, and even our landlords! This support reinforced our determination to keep The Porch & Co. a successful retail destination. The ongoing support has led to a larger, thriving, store where our merchants can do what they love – small business retail sales- and keeps our customers coming back for more!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Porch & Co. strives to offer a large variety of new and used merchandise offered in carefully curated displays. It’s not unusual for our customers to see something that pulls on a heartstring from their past: Grandma’s porcelain teapot, a childhood toy, a favorite dress style, or a well loved book. It’s our chance to “rehome” items into households that continue to appreciate their beauty and nostalgia. Our goal is to be a place where customers can browse in a relaxed setting, find inspiration and decorating ideas, indulge in some “self care” time, or check off their gift list. Our merchants restock weekly, taking great care to keep merchandise and displays current and fresh. We love to celebrate all the holidays with seasonal home decor.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
A note from one of our merchants:
“I love shopping vintage and seeing items that are no longer made, or wondering what an item was used for.
I love thinking about the time and talent that went into creating a treasure. I am always on the lookout for small vintage items we can incorporate into our home.”
A note from one of our customers:
“I shop vintage because I love the uniqueness it brings to our home. It’s exciting to find something that someone else loved, and you get to love it, too!”
Pricing:
- Items at The Porch & Co are offered at current fair market retail value.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Theporchandcomuskegon.com
- Instagram: Theporchandco
- Facebook: The Porch &Co., Muskegon, MI
