KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Expanding a business during these tough economic times might be scary to some, but others are moving ahead with great success. Many are finding their niche in this downturn -- like MLB Designs.
This Kansas City home decor firm is one of three businesses we are tracking in 2009. We are also following West Chase Grille and MedExpress Labs. We returned to MLB Designs this week where owner Marie Bertholet Smith is just getting settled into her new store on the Country Club Plaza across the street from Halls.
“It's really fun to be on the plaza and be able to help people,” Smith says. “There was lots to do, like lots of electrical, plumbing, sheetrock. We removed walls.
Marie began the journey almost a year ago. It took her that long to restore an old Talbot’s store to the building’s original splendor. The new location more than doubles Marie's square footage. She says that’s one of the main reasons behind this major expansion. It allows her to stock more of what her customers have come to know her for over the years.
“We're a home furnishings and gifts, and we also carry table tops, linens, things for your home, accessories for your home,” Smith says.
One of MLB Design's signature items is their hickory chairs. With hundreds of colors to choose from, customers can go from selection to delivery in month. Something they say no one else can beat. With more showroom space, Marie says customers can see what they're getting in person, instead of picking it out of a catalog.
“In our old location, we didn't have as much space to focus on furniture,” she said. “We had a few pieces, but not a lot.”
Marie does onsite design consulting for both homes and offices. Much of that business comes from referrals.
“I make it their home. Sometimes when I go back in, I don't even remember all the little details because it's their home.”In the coming weeks, Marie will focus on finishing her place. There's still work to be done on the top level where the complete furniture gallery will go. In the meantime, old customers are coming her way. And the economic downturn is actually sending new ones as well. Many are people staying in their homes and just redoing them. Marie's hopes for 2009?“Why I hope I’m in the black!” she laughs.We'll continue to check back in on MLB Designs and our other two businesses throughout the year.
