Since taking ownership of Mid City’s Circa 1857, Garret Kemp, 21, has rebranded the Government Street art and antique store as The Market at Circa 1857 and launched its social media presence. He also rearranged the interior.
But he’s not stopping there.
As 225 details in a new Q&A featured in the current issue, Kemp plans to make The Market at Circa 1857 a household name and give the store a more worldly feel.
“I want The Market to be a household name. I think it used to be and kind of still is, but not among my generation,” he tells 225. “In this day and age an antique store needs to be active on social media, and we need to be constantly changing.” Ideally, customers would get a different experience each time they enter the store, he says.
Kemp took over ownership of the business, located at 1857 Government St., in June. Kemp, a seasoned traveler, says he changed the store’s name to The Market because “that’s essentially what it is.”
“If you travel to Marrakesh, there’s stall after stall of people trying to sell wares, for as long as you can see. I want to emulate that,” says Kemp, adding that he has been scouting out areas to incorporate more cultures into the store.
“I want to bring more French Provincial and Mexican imports. If people haven’t seen Moroccan fabric, I want to show them that,” he says. “Moroccan doors are some of the most intricately designed doors I’ve ever seen. You can’t go to Lowe’s and get a beautifully carved door like that.”
Kemp also plans to collaborate with other businesses, interior designers and bars on planned events. He wants The Market at Circa 1857 to host nighttime events and to cross promote with nearby businesses such as the Guru, an event venue in the Circa 1857 complex.
“We are really working to make White Light Night on Nov. 18 the best White Light Night we’ve ever had. With all of the businesses in this complex working together, it has the potential to be a hotspot at the event,” he says.
