Kelly Fennell's eyes searched the treasures lining shelves inside her barn off Old State Road in Middlefield and then paused to talk about what is…
Kelly Fennell’s eyes searched the treasures lining shelves inside her barn off Old State Road in Middlefield and then paused to talk about what is possible.
“Pickers Heaven was always a dream of mine,” said Fennell, owner of Pickers Heaven Resale Shop. “I did not have a name picked out at the time, but the idea of the store becoming a reality came to fruition about two years ago.”
Pickers Heaven is a consignment store that opened about eight months ago and has nearly 75 to 100 consigners, with more coming in every day.
“Pickers Heaven’s goal is to help others find specific items that they desire,” said Fennell, a mother of three. “The store was created to allow me to meet my family needs as well as live out my dream of creating a store that serves the community and surrounding areas.”
The shop accepts new and used items that are all cleaned, tagged and displayed in a decorative fashion. They take in everything from antiques, vintage and specialty items to everyday items.
Fennell’s fianc owns Creative Construction Concepts and Excavating, located on the same property, which allowed Pickers Heaven to expand, most recently with the addition of some single vendor sheds.
Three new sheds will be used as mini store fronts for vendors to rent. Initially, they will have to sign a three-month lease, followed by month-to-month leases.
“We intend on adding three more sheds for a total of six in the near future to be utilized during spring through fall months where individuals can display their choice of items, with their choice of hours of operation,” Fennell said.
The sounds of Kenny Chesney and Jana Kramer enhanced the genuine country feel as Fennell journeyed to the back of the shop to plan for some newly placed furniture. On the way back, old license plates and hubcaps adorn the walls above a colorful display of vintage pins and earrings.
“I do it all myself,” Fennell said, as her hand whisked across the cushions of a large sofa getting ready for placement.
The business owner explained that in early years, she was a frequent garage sale and flea-market-goer with her babysitter, often decorating her house with her finds.
“Every time I get a new piece, I am rearranging the store,” Fennell said.
Consigners are allowed to drop off items during scheduled times, with the upstairs barn filled with yet-to-be displayed merchandise.
Items are garage sale priced to Ebay priced and Fennell keeps 30 percent on each sale.
Chardon’s Charles and Hellen Macintyre are consigners who came on board at the start.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Hellen Macintyre said. “We make enough to have fun. This is our way of flea-marketing. We are clearing out our house and getting to see people. (Fennell) has a little bit of everything, from odd to unusual. But she is fussy about what she takes in.”
Middlefield’s Nell Willits is a regular customer, stopping into Pickers Heaven about two or three times a week.
“Oh my, gosh, she has everything,” Willits said. “And Kelly is the most welcoming person. She knows you by name.”
Willits latest find was a princess house.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t even tell you, she has everything and she’s steady,” she added. “It’s as nice as ever, this is a beautiful place.”
Pickers Heaven is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and from 2-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are closed on Fridays and Sundays.
