Curating an inventory of quality antique pieces and hidden gems takes time, thought, and a keen eye. On this week’s episode, we speak with Peg Leg Vintage, an antique shop in Beltsville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Owner Krisi Hora prides herself on her quality mid-century collection—one that has helped her build a trusted customer base and find success digitally during the pandemic.
Our Yelp reviewer Hannah H. loves discovering places that fly under the radar, which is how she felt about her first time at Peg Leg Vintage. “When I look for a business, it’s not the number of reviews that they have. I actually get really excited if they don’t have that many reviews because I feel as if it’s telling me that this business is either a hidden gem or it’s a small business that no one has ever or has yet to discover.”
Through Hannah’s Yelp review and our discussion, you’ll see how Krisi’s hard work and dedication to her vision paid off. Without prompt, Hannah makes note of many of the things that Krisi specifically aims to achieve, including the deliberate store layout, the high-quality products, and the uniqueness of them. But what it really all boils down to is Krisi herself and what she does to make the Peg Leg Vintage shopping experience so special.
Krisi certainly has an eye for salvaging great pieces and a skill for restoring them but a lot of the connection that people feel with the business is their connection to Krisi herself. She has become an expert in mid-century, antiquing, refinishing and design—but it’s her personality and approachability that make people ask questions, take the time to learn about the pieces, and become interested in the story behind what they’re buying. She’s knowledgeable, always learning about old pieces, doesn’t pretend to know everything, and has a real passion for connecting with people.
Here are some takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Don’t be pushy. Let your product make the sale. Focus on making a meaningful connection with your customers. Be there to answer questions and to help them if they are looking for it, but avoid pressuring someone into a sale.
- High-quality products cultivate trust. When it comes to businesses like antique shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries, building credibility is essential to justifying the price point. Though it may take time, if you have quality products, the rest will follow.
- Don’t be afraid to go digital. Before the pandemic, Krisi posted some products online weekly, but it was limited. But since last March, she’s had to pivot like the rest of business owners and move into ecommerce. Because of the trust and reputation she’s built, people trust the quality of her products without seeing them in person first.
Interviews by Emily Washcovick; photos from Peg Leg Vintage on Yelp
These lessons come from an episode of Behind the Review, Yelp & Entrepreneur Media’s weekly podcast. Listen below to hear from Krisi and Hannah, or visit the episode page to read more, subscribe to the show, and explore other episodes.
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.