PHOTO COURTESY OF TERESA DEJARLAIS
By Angie Landsverk
A Shop Full of Furniture, Home, and Garden Pieces
Teresa DeJarlais turned her love of nature and old, unique items into a business.
“I grew up in a large family, and my best memories are from being at our grandparents’ farm,” she said. “As a child, I remember being interested in and having an admiration of old stuff there.”
Her journey to opening a gift shop started in 1988 when she was living in Elk River, Minnesota. “I began by participating in craft and art shows in my home and other locations,” Teresa said. “I enjoyed gathering and drying flowers, grasses, weeds, etc. I then made and sold wreaths I made from local vines.”
Those first shows were called Fall Gatherings. It expanded with her love of flea markets and estate sales.
Soon Teresa was selling in a small antique store space. She was then approached by the owner of an occasional shop and joined it before stocking her items in another antique shop as well.
“By this time, I lived in a 1940s bungalow, offering workshops and events there, plus a shop in my back porch. During these years, I also had a full-time career, while supplementing my income with my passion for old and handmade,” she said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NIRA VIDA
Her background includes working in an education system in both classroom and clerical positions. Those experiences aided Teresa in her business venture — giving her skills and helping her learn how to work with all ages and kinds of people.
The move into that bungalow is how Teresa came up with her shop’s name — The PORCH. And in January 2003, she took her business to Buffalo, Minnesota — leasing the lower level of an old building and opening an occasional sale there.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TERESA DEJARLAIS
Buffalo is about 23 miles southwest of Elk River. “Buffalo has grown a lot but still has its quaint downtown area with a lake,” she said. “About 40 miles west of the Twin Cities, many people are attracted to our vibrant shopping community of 20+ businesses.”
When Teresa had her first occasional sale in Buffalo, she began restyling furniture and décor — always focusing on gardens and nature in her displays. The occasional sale was open four days a month.
Within the first year, Teresa was able to lease the other two floors of the building — the second floor for another shop level and the third floor for her home. She added hours after acquiring the other levels.
The PORCH in Buffalo continues to be open on that occasional sale schedule, with the main level open Thursday through Saturday each week. Of the occasional sale, Teresa said, “Our traffic is channeled during those four days, allowing time to collect, refresh, add, and offer fresh items each month. It’s an economical way of doing business. We lower utility bills, for example. It also allows us to operate as a cooperative with vendor staffing.”
She purchased the building in 2019 and has completed numerous remodeling projects. “This is a great old 1902 brick building, and I’ve been able to renovate while keeping the original beauty of the building,” Teresa said. “Each floor has seen changes, with most happening in the third-floor apartment: exposing brick walls and ceiling rafters, removing vinyl and carpet flooring to expose original floor, kitchen updates with cabinets built of old doors, windows. Everything is simply done and has attracted a lot of attention.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TERESA DEJARLAIS
Vintage, antique, faux floral, fresh green plants, new items focusing on gifts (soap, jewelry, candles), home, and garden décor fill Teresa’s gift shop. Regarding what is selling well, Teresa said, “Lately, I notice clusters of people in three areas: by our fresh green plants and pots; costume jewelry (our $10 rings are popular), and we have a huge table of unframed linen prints in all styles. Secondhand clothing is popular in our $6-$16 range.”
Teresa goes to estate sales and flea markets every week if possible and said that is another reason the store is not open every day. She also loves France and travels there annually if she can.
“I look for and find what I’d want in my own home. Furniture, home, and garden pieces,” she said. “We clean. We paint if needed to rescue a piece. We don’t just paint everything.”
What products does Teresa search for at markets to complement what her gift shop offers? “Price point, color, and style decide what we offer. In addition to liking our aesthetic and style, clients love our value,” she said.
When asked if she has changed what the store carries since opening, Teresa said everything has evolved and changed over time. Some of that is due to necessity. For example, old and antique items are more difficult to acquire in her area due to availability and cost. Other changes have followed what her clientele likes.
Teresa has had as many as 12 vendors and currently has four. “We’ve changed our business model to use more floor space for workshops,” she said. “We have variety in what we offer, while staying true to our style. Our vendors don’t compete. For example, we sell similar but not identical items.”
The vendors who sell with Teresa work the shop’s open hours. “We’re not open every day. We operate frugally. Expenses are kept at a minimum,” she said.
Inspiring customers is what this store is all about. Teresa said they have always operated with the concept of wanting to sell what is there and acquire more.
Their typical customers are females aged 16 to 70. Men make up about 15% of the store’s customers.
What do visitors say about the store? Every day the shop is open, Teresa hears variations on how someone loves the shop, visits it intentionally, and brings friends to meet her. Others say it feels so good in the store and the prices are great.
“People comment that we’re well curated. We think outside the box, mixing and matching,” Teresa said. “We offer what we love and keep everything clean. Dusting, touching, moving — all of that energy equals sales.”
Customer care is important. “We say hello when they come in the door. We check in while they’re here. We show sincere appreciation,” she said. “We take time to package their items, adding ribbon, a flourish of tissue, etc. We treat people with kindness and a welcoming attitude.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TERESA DEJARLAIS
The PORCH in Buffalo has an online store, but it is not used. “People express an interest, and so many of our items would be popular online, but I haven’t figured out how to make the time to do it,” she said. “I know it’s a great way to shop!”
Among the challenges Teresa has faced since opening her store are the ups and downs of the economy and how it affects business. It has meant she must constantly learn how to market what they do and create interest. She said, “I’ve always worked with dealers and others here, with me saying we can work to bring people here, but will they want to come back?”
A turning point for her business was the realization that national magazines were interested in her story. “It’s been a busy time, full of hard work and being constantly aware of change and knowing our clientele,” Teresa said.
Special events and classes are held at The PORCH in Buffalo. “My intention with events is to ‘bring the French life home,’” Teresa said. “My travel to France and sales of the flea market items I find are popular. Our April in Paris event started in my Elk River home and continued here until recently, including a chef-made lunch, prizes, and tours of my third-floor apartment. I now offer ‘French Finds’ sales (by email invite) and workshops in floral, painting, simple upholstery, and more.”
Her most effective marketing strategies are social media, email blasts, off-site shows, and word of mouth. Teresa and her vendors take pictures all the time for social media and include videos and live sales on those platforms.
She is connected to her community. Teresa is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau and promotes their local events. She donates to schools, youth athletics, and fundraisers and participates in events with Buffalo’s downtown retail group. Teresa belongs to a networking group and recommends joining one, saying it has expanded her connections and knowledge of entrepreneurial businesses other than retail.
Teresa’s family and friends have grown the business with her, and their support is invaluable. And living on her building’s third floor, she describes it as the ideal lifestyle.
Her advice for those who recently opened a gift shop is, “It’s not work if you have a passion for it. But you need to take care of yourself.” As for what she likes best about what she does, Teresa said, “This satisfies my love for buying! I love to share what is here and promote goodwill in this great old building.”
Facts at a Glance
Business Name: The PORCH in Buffalo
Location: 32 Central Ave., Buffalo, MN 55313
Website: theporchinbuffalo.com
Email: teresa.porch@gmail.com
Phone: 763-684-1254
Employees: Zero
Size: 3,500 sq. ft.
Trade Shows Attended: Minneapolis, Atlanta
Product Categories: Vintage, antique, faux floral, plants, gifts, home, and garden décor
Social Media: facebook.com/theporchinbuffalo/; instagram.com/explore/locations/83507275/the-porch-in-buffalo/
POS System: Square
