The Bloom is off the rose and will be greatly missed
By Kady Weddle
Aided by Bill Rankin
Krista Sloan, owner of Rooms That Bloom in the heart of Martin City, has decided to close her business, and sell the property after 31 years.
“I had been thinking about it for a while now and It was just time,” said Sloan. “With the way the world is right now, retail isn’t exactly on everyone’s mind. Retail as we know it is not the same.” One of the oldest structures in Martin City, located just feet from the railroad tracks, the property was once used as housing for employees working on the railroad. Sloan completely renovated the old cottage inside and out and the shopping destination featured unique European-styled antiques, gifts, and home décor.
The prominent ‘For Sale’ sign wasn’t up ten minutes before the home was spoken for. An agent with Reece Commercial Real Estate had barely gotten back in the door from placing the sign when Debbie VanNoy came walking swiftly across the road. Owner of Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse directly across the street, VanNoy told Sloan she would have loved to have purchased it 30 years ago when it was on the market then.
“I had called several people to let them know I would be selling the property,” said Sloan. “But I didn’t think to tell Debbie. With her owning a restaurant, it just never occurred to me that she might be interested.” The 12442 Cherry St. property listing consists of multiple structures including a cottage, shed, and two-story barn.
“Thirty-one years ago, I saw a ‘For Sale’ sign on this cute little two-story house in Martin City and it was like a dream come true staring me in the face,” said Sloan. Krista had her grand opening on March 18, 1989.
Over the next three decades Sloan would travel the world with her husband, visiting markets in North Carolina, Atlanta, and even England. Unfortunately, as the pandemic stops travel to almost a halt, Sloan has been unable to attend markets – let alone board a plane.
“It’s been a wonderful ride though,” Sloan continued. “I loved every minute of it, and I’ve been really to have done the things I have.”
Neighbors and friends will be sad to see her go. “For twenty plus years Krista and I have been doing holiday open houses and customer events together and although I completely understand and wish Krista the absolute best, I will really miss her,” said Karyn Brooke of Sidelines Custom Floral. “I loved going over there and buying gifts and getting my seasonal Aromatique. Retail is really important for us in Martin City. We have some really unique options but it is hard to lose one with such a great sense of style.”
Sloan assures us that she will not be slowing down. “I won’t just sit at home…Besides playing tennis, I really like animals and might look to volunteer at the Kansas City Zoo or a local animal shelter.”
The shop’s official closing day is still unclear. It will be ‘business as usual’ for the storefront until at least the end of October. The store is scheduled to host a liquidation sale sometime in September, date to be determined. Plans for the location are still undisclosed but are sure to be underway. Sloan is confident that the new owners will come up with something wonderful.
“I will miss all the people you get to meet and grow old with along the way,” says Sloan. “I haven’t quite wrapped my head around all of it yet. It’s all pretty overwhelming and hasn’t really sunk in. It’s going to be such a huge change. It really has been great.”
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