When attorney Michelle Barnes was faced with empty nest syndrome, she opened a store.
Barnes, who heads the environmental crimes division in the Maryland Attorney General's office, travels the state on cases by day, but returns to Baltimore to run a small home goods boutique, reUP Home Furnishings and Finds, on evenings and weekends.
The shop on North Charles Street in Mount Vernon, which Barnes opened last month, has more to do with her environmental work than you might think, filled with otherwise disposable or unwanted items getting a second life in home décor such as upholsering furniture with coffee bean bags and Indian blankets.
Barnes, who has an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School, spent the first 17 years of her 25-year law career on the Eastern Shore, first as a criminal defense attorney, then as the elected state's attorney for Dorchester County for two terms. She has worked in the Attorney General's office, based out of Baltimore, for eight years.
You have spent much of your career as an environmental lawyer. What prompted you to start a retail business now and how did you arrive at the concept for your shop?
I was prompted to start thinking of ways to indulge my love of the arts and creating things after my son went off to college. As a single mother, my focus outside of work was always on my son and his activities, including year-round sports involvement. Once he went off to college, it suddenly seemed like I had a lot of time on my hands. All of my youth, I was used to tagging along with my mother and sisters "junk-tiquing" at various barns and flea markets. After spending hours rooting through all the fabulous junk, those chosen items would get revamped and re-loved into pieces that appeared at home. Now that I had time, I went back to this habit and just loved it.
I have an even greater appreciation for the art of remaking and updating after my years as an environmental attorney. The idea of keeping as much as we can out of the landfills and using imagination and creativity to create beautiful and funky things became even more important to me, and was a perfect fit for the work I do as an attorney trying to improve the environmental health of our gorgeous state. As I get the store established, I'm open evenings and weekends. As it grows, I hope to quickly be able to hire additional employees and be open days during the week as well.
How did you go about opening your store and what has been most challenging?
I originally thought I'd just do some pieces and have a website to sell them. But the more I thought seriously about what I wanted to do, the more I knew I wanted to go bigger and have a brick-and-mortar store. I really wanted the interaction with the people in Baltimore, both residents and visitors, and I wanted to bring these innovative pieces to life by having them on display to be seen and touched and appreciated (…and purchased!).
I started by working out a budget and a timeline to open… Both of which I completely blew. I considered a number of neighborhoods, because we have such great ones in Baltimore, but ultimately settled into wanting to be in the Mount Vernon area, because it was a neighborhood without a furniture store presence and without many options for home goods and gifts. After that, it was a matter of waiting for the right spot to come along, and as soon as I walked into my space at 519 N. Charles St., I knew it was the spot for me.
It has been an exhausting process getting the store open. The permit process, software set-up and establishing an on-line presence have been daunting tasks. I'm glad I finally realized that I couldn't wait for everything to be perfect… I still am struggling with getting my online up and running. At some point you just have to open the doors. The reception and responses from people coming in has been fantastic.
What is upcycling and do you see this trend growing?
While many people are familiar with the basic concept of recycling from the general pick up of their bottles and cans and newspapers, the concept of upcycling is new to most people. Recycling is the practice that takes an item and targets it for reuse, in its same form but improved, returning it back to the cycle of contribution to society rather than discarding it to trash. In our store, for example, we have an old dresser, which was transformed from its basic stained wood to a gorgeous homage to Marilyn Monroe in black and silver with glass knobs. Still a dresser, but so cool now.
Upcycling is the practice of converting waste, discarded, or worn products into a form or use different than its original purpose and producing better quality and value. It is the creation of something different from that item. For example, we have a vintage tractor front that has been transformed into a table. And we have upholstered pieces of furniture made with burlap coffee sacks, as well as vintage Indian blankets and saris. Or check out our old canvas tents which are now wine carriers, and the old cashmere sweaters which are now hand embroidered pillows.
Upcycling is a growing trend which is well known and used in Australia and Europe. It is becoming more and more recognized in America. I see it as an up-and-coming trend, with people understanding the absolute need to limit waste, as well as wanting to honor vintage items and older, familiar, well-made pieces but wanting to do so with a modern and unique twist.
What is the strangest or most unexpected place you've found an item to be recycled or upcycled? What is one of the most surprising ways you've been able to reuse an item?
I find my pieces anywhere and everywhere. Flea markets, auctions, and yes, I have been known to dumpster dive, or to stop the car as I drive by trash pick-ups to snag a piece. Sometimes in a suit and heels. One of the most surprising reuses I've had is a piece in progress that I'm excited about. I have a vintage Raleigh bike that I'm turning into a bathroom sink, with the basket being used as a towel holder. I hope that the pieces we carry in the store bring a purpose to the homes of our customers and a smile to everyone who sees them. My goal is to help you find your funky with reuse, recreation and imagination.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
reUP Home is my time away from work and I'm thrilled to be able to find and work on pieces. Beyond that I am a die-hard Ravens and Orioles fan, complete with purple highlights in my hair in football season and orange ones in baseball season. Which was a bit tricky during October this year — but what a great dilemma.
Michelle Barnes
Age: 51
Occupation/Title: Attorney, small business retailer, finder and creator
Previous job: I've been an attorney forever!
Residence: Baltimore and Cambridge
Birthplace: Baltimore
Education: Juris Doctor, University of Baltimore Law School
Family: My son is in college in (New York City) and a huge supporter of my venture. My sister is in Towson and I have two brothers in Tennessee, and nieces and nephews in Cambridge.
Hobbies/interests: Sports — especially Ravens and Orioles (it's no coincidence that my window signage is purple and orange), travel, finding projects to work on.