(Hannah Gunnell/South Indy Connect photo) Yasha Persson adjusts the displays in her antique store, Y Shop Vintage and More. She and her 20 vendors have a variety of vintage and antique items and art for sale.
By HANNAH GUNNELL
Yasha Persson opened her own antique store in Beech Grove five and half years ago after the place she was vending at upped their rent.
“I said I think I’ll just try it on my own — so I just tried it on my own!” she said. “With vendors. I have 20 vendors.”
The Lawrence resident found her spot at 609 Main Street in Beech Grove after driving through and seeing a for sale sign.
“This particular property was for sale, so I drug my husband out here, and he said it looked fine, except the roof leaked, and there were a bunch of problems, but long story short, we fixed all the stuff, we cleaned it up, and we opened it,” Persson said.
Persson and her 20 vendors sell a variety of art, antiques and vintage items, including clothes, jewelry, home decor, and other household trinkets. Persson’s favorite pieces in the store include a small tree near the checkout, a vintage doll-like sculpture in a booth near the front, and even a wood curio cabinet.
“I have so many favorites and I try not to buy all my favorites,” she said with a chuckle.
One goal she has for her business is to keep the items on the vintage, antique side; as opposed to a flea market, where anything can sell no matter the items’ ages.
“When I opened the business, I was hoping it would be a one of a kind type shop, where you could find something you couldn’t find anywhere else,” Persson said. “You have to hunt for it, like that treasure. I think we’ve done that. People ask me all the time, ‘What sells?’ and you never know. We sold $300 worth of beer cans the other day. If you’d asked me five years ago you’re gonna — I’d be like, no one’s gonna buy that! Some of them were rusted. There’s no rhyme or reason. I just wanted it to be a treasure-finding place.”
Persson would like to see more art come into her store. She has a wait list for vendors, but anyone interested in renting a booth or having art displayed can do so by emailing her at yashapersson@hotmail.com.