68 home opened this month in a storefront at 5 W. Broad St. (Mike Platania)
Another new retailer has sprung up along a rapidly evolving stretch of Broad Street downtown.
68 Home, which sells locally made new and used furniture and home decor, opened earlier this month at 5 W. Broad St. in a long-dormant storefront next to Tarrant’s Café.
Owner Mariya Boykova got the idea for the space after working at other furniture retailers in the city, including LaDiff.
“I noticed people my age and young professionals wanted furniture that was solid and cool, and I was finding that kind of stuff at auctions and estate sales, so I wanted to open a store like this for people to be able to afford nice furniture and not have to spend a ton of money,” said Boykova.
Boykova studied interior design at VCU, which has connected her with people making furniture in Richmond. 68 Home doubles as an art gallery, with its walls covered in local artists’ work.
Located on the Monroe Ward side of Broad Street, the shop’s location gives Boykova a chance to showcase her offerings at First Fridays every month.
Owner Mariya Boykova, who studied interior design at VCU, started the shop after stints at other local furniture sellers. (Courtesy 68 Home)
“No one really showcases locally made furniture here, and I really wanted to do something for First Fridays,” Boykova said. “I’ve met a lot of people around Richmond that are artists, illustrators, or make furniture–just people who make all kinds of cool stuff. All the people I have in the shop right now are all based in Richmond, and friends.”
Boykova said she reached out to artists on Etsy, as well as VCU’s furniture design program to get pieces into the shop.
68 Home does consignments, trade-ins and store credit, and buys pieces.
“Whatever works for whoever’s trying to get rid of something or wants to be in the store,” said Boykova. “If you were to go out and go to 25 different thrift stores, auctions, antique malls, and look for that one item, I think I have that one item you want.”
68 Home enters the downtown retail scene as a nearby shop is leaving the neighborhood. Frank’s Custom Clothier, which opened in 2009, posted a notice on its window this week that it will close its location at 101 W. Broad St. on Jan. 15, and move to Short Pump in spring 2017.
Owner Frank Morris was not available for comment by press time.
The junction of East and West Broad has been a popular destination for small businesses lately. Chocolates By Kelly and Ledbury moved to the area from elsewhere in the city, while wedding planner Isha Foss Design moved in from Virginia Beach.
68 home opened this month in a storefront at 5 W. Broad St. (Mike Platania)
Another new retailer has sprung up along a rapidly evolving stretch of Broad Street downtown.
68 Home, which sells locally made new and used furniture and home decor, opened earlier this month at 5 W. Broad St. in a long-dormant storefront next to Tarrant’s Café.
Owner Mariya Boykova got the idea for the space after working at other furniture retailers in the city, including LaDiff.
“I noticed people my age and young professionals wanted furniture that was solid and cool, and I was finding that kind of stuff at auctions and estate sales, so I wanted to open a store like this for people to be able to afford nice furniture and not have to spend a ton of money,” said Boykova.
Boykova studied interior design at VCU, which has connected her with people making furniture in Richmond. 68 Home doubles as an art gallery, with its walls covered in local artists’ work.
Located on the Monroe Ward side of Broad Street, the shop’s location gives Boykova a chance to showcase her offerings at First Fridays every month.
Owner Mariya Boykova, who studied interior design at VCU, started the shop after stints at other local furniture sellers. (Courtesy 68 Home)
“No one really showcases locally made furniture here, and I really wanted to do something for First Fridays,” Boykova said. “I’ve met a lot of people around Richmond that are artists, illustrators, or make furniture–just people who make all kinds of cool stuff. All the people I have in the shop right now are all based in Richmond, and friends.”
Boykova said she reached out to artists on Etsy, as well as VCU’s furniture design program to get pieces into the shop.
68 Home does consignments, trade-ins and store credit, and buys pieces.
“Whatever works for whoever’s trying to get rid of something or wants to be in the store,” said Boykova. “If you were to go out and go to 25 different thrift stores, auctions, antique malls, and look for that one item, I think I have that one item you want.”
68 Home enters the downtown retail scene as a nearby shop is leaving the neighborhood. Frank’s Custom Clothier, which opened in 2009, posted a notice on its window this week that it will close its location at 101 W. Broad St. on Jan. 15, and move to Short Pump in spring 2017.
Owner Frank Morris was not available for comment by press time.
The junction of East and West Broad has been a popular destination for small businesses lately. Chocolates By Kelly and Ledbury moved to the area from elsewhere in the city, while wedding planner Isha Foss Design moved in from Virginia Beach.