Maplewood business to celebrate an anniversary on Let Them Eat Art

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Patti Brightfield and Nancy Kassabaum, with Penny Dreyer (not in photo) are co-owners of Roots.

A Maplewood antiques business will celebrate its first anniversary at their new location on the upcoming Let Them Eat Art, Maplewood’s self-guided tour through its downtown, featuring local art, music and food.

Patti Brightfield (sitting) and Nancy Kassabaum, with Penny Dreyer (not in photo) are co-owners of Roots.
Patti Brightfield and Nancy Kassabaum, with Penny Dreyer (not in photo) are co-owners of Roots.

Roots moved from Sutton Boulevard several blocks south of Manchester Road to its current location, at 7328 Manchester, opening on the very busy day in Maplewood.

Co-owner Nancy Kassabaum (along with her sisters, Patti Brightfield and Penny Dreyer) were “dumbfounded” by the crowds, Kassabaum said.

“The effect of opening on that day was jaw-dropping,” she said. “Having been down on Sutton, we had our customers that came down to us for those events, but we didn’t have any of the walk-in traffic. When we got up here and saw the throngs of people, it was like, ‘Yes, we’ve done it!’”

She said sales were very good on that day, but they were even really good the next day, because people who didn’t want to carry bags came back and bought.

“We loved our old spot, but for business, this was 100 percent better,” Kassabaum said.

In the past year Roots has added locally made soaps, bath salts, Curly Girl cards and old books that have been repurposed into journals.

“We’ve added a little bit toward the gift side, still with the idea that it’s repurposed or old, but it can be gifted at a reasonable price, which people seem to like,” Kassabaum said.

This year’s Let Them Eat Art, the ninth annual, is July 11. It will include live demonstrations by more than 35 artists, live music at the Sutton Main Stage, food and drink by Maplewood’s restaurants, and more.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I’m so happy such a great store and such great people are doing well. They deserve success. Not only are they wonderful people, but they run a fabulous store as well!

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