Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Drake.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Devin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been a retail manager for almost 30 years. Fifteen years with JC Penney as a buyer/merchandise manager and 13 years as the retail manager for the American Airlines Center for the Stars and the Mavs. I was down sized 3 years ago and could not find a job. I started collecting vintage home accessories and furniture a few years ago as a hobby. I was a vendor in 2 antique stores for a year. After being out of work for a year I took all of my savings and borrowed money from my family and bought a 100-year-old building on Locust St. in Denton. I spent two months doing the renovation by myself. I opened Faded Blue on September 1st, 2016. Owning my own business is a dream come true. The freedom to express myself and discover my creative side has been liberating. I enjoy visiting with my customers every day. I believe that taking care of the customer is my number one priority. I want each and every customer to be satisfied with their purchases and if they are not I am committed to doing what is right in each situation.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sure there have been struggles. Keeping the store stocked with fresh exciting new inventory is always a challenge. It’s a constant battle between paying the bills, supporting three wonderful children and buying new inventory. I love the excitement of buying new merchandise. I call it the thrill of the hunt. I find myself having to be much for selective in business for myself then I did in corporate America when someone else was paying the bills. I would not trade what I have now for anything, the freedom to be your own boss and create something from the heart is priceless.
Faded Blue – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Faded Blue sells vintage furniture and home decor. My store has a more masculine vibe. Saying that 75% of my customers are women. It is a mix of old and new, wood, metal, leather and canvas. I have partnered with local craftsmen and artist to give my merchandise mix a local flavor. My color palate is black, antique white and intellectual gray. My ex-wife Debbie, who owns Vintage Bleu Home taught me how to paint furniture a little over a year ago. I have a small work shop in the back of my store and I do my own furniture refinishing. I really enjoy taking an old piece of furniture and giving it new life. Bringing a 100-year-old building back to life has been a rewarding experience. I moved every couple of years as a kid. I was looking for a place to put down roots. I found that in Denton, Texas. I may be the only vintage furniture store in the country that sells dart supplies. I wanted all the dart players in Denton to have a place to shop.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Whenever someone buys something that I selected to become a part of their home.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1100 N. Locust St.
- Website: www.fadedbluevintage.com
- Phone: 940 514 1500
- Email: fadedbluevintage@gmail.com
- Instagram: Faded Blue Vintage
- Facebook: Faded Blue Vintage
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