We have a special treat for you! Our team had the delightful opportunity to chat with Jennifer Griffith, owner of the locally-loved Emporium on Ivy, about what makes her establishment unique, and what she hopes people feel when they walk in the door and what customers can expect ahead! She notes,
“Since taking ownership of The Emporium on Ivy in April, we have been on an exciting journey to build on everything people already loved about the store while creating an even bigger, more unique shopping experience in the heart of downtown Ellisville.”
What changes or updates have you made since taking over The Emporium on Ivy?
One of the biggest changes has simply been growth—and lots of it! When we purchased The Emporium on Ivy in April, the store was home to 32 vendors. Today, we are incredibly proud to have 118 vendors, each bringing something different to the Emporium experience.
Our goal has been to create a true emporium-style shopping destination—the kind of place where you never know what treasure might be waiting around the next corner. We have expanded our selection of vintage and antique pieces while welcoming an amazing variety of locally made and one-of-a-kind products.
Today, shoppers can find everything from original artwork, boutique and vintage clothing, custom woodworking and stained glass to handmade soaps, cleaning products, locally poured candles, custom jewelry, baby boutique items and custom-designed furniture. And that's only the beginning! We also have baked goods, local honey, from-scratch pasta and countless other surprises throughout the store.
We want every visit to feel like a treasure hunt. You might come in looking for one thing and leave with something completely unexpected—and hopefully a story to go along with it.
Can you tell us a little about the history of the store and what you love about it?
The building itself may be one of our greatest treasures. Dating back to the mid-to-late 1800s, it is one of the oldest buildings in Jones County. Long before we became part of its story, this building was already woven into the history of downtown Ellisville and the memories of generations of local families. There is something incredibly special about selling antiques inside a building that is an antique itself.
We have visitors from near and far, and we always encourage them to slow down and look around—not just at what's for sale, but at the building itself. The character, history and imperfections are part of what make it beautiful. We aren't simply filling an old building with merchandise; we are continuing its story.
What makes The Emporium on Ivy different, and what do you want customers to feel when they walk through the door?
The heart of The Emporium on Ivy is not only the antique building or even all the wonderful "things" inside it. It's the people. Our vendors and the team who work in the store every day have created something that is difficult to describe until you experience it. We want everyone who walks through our doors to immediately know one thing: you are welcome here.
You don't have to come in looking for anything in particular. Come wander through the booths. Hunt for an antique. Find a new outfit. Grab a Coke in a glass bottle and some peanuts. Sit for a minute. Tell us about your day. Or just enjoy being somewhere that still believes shopping can be personal. For us, The Emporium on Ivy is about more than retail. It's about community, conversation, creativity and a little extra dose of Southern hospitality.
What can customers expect this fall and winter?
We're just getting started! This fall and winter, customers can expect even more changes as we continue rearranging and expanding to create additional vendor spaces throughout the Emporium. We are especially excited about making room for unique vendors, makers, artists and small businesses who want to become part of what we're building.
Our vision is for The Emporium on Ivy to continue growing as a destination where old meets new, local makers meet treasure hunters, and every item—and every person—has a story.
We hope people will come shop with us, stay awhile and experience what makes this old building in downtown Ellisville so special.
