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Josephine + Mim

A Michigan based online boutique featuring a carefully purveyed collection of goods; handmade + vintage + new

You are here: Home / Inside Josephine + Mim / To new beginnings….

in Inside Josephine + Mim

To new beginnings….

Have you ever heard the phrase, feelings are a liar? It’s true. You shouldn’t always trust your how you feel. Sure, they give you a clue, but you shouldn’t necessarily use them for making decisions. Case in point…

At the end of 2020, I felt exhausted (didn’t we all?). I felt ready to quit (you too?). Close down my online shops and go find a regular full-time j.o.b. again (because working for someone else’s dream is easier, right?).  But I knew, I was simply exhausted. I needed rest. That was all. Just some down time to relax, rest my body, brain and soul and I’d be back to good. Let me tell you, I’m so glad I didn’t listen to my feelings. Because if I had I would have simply deleted the email that had led me to the opportunity that I’ve been working on for the past almost 5 weeks **Note: I originally wrote this post the second week of February, 2021 and am absolutely tardy in getting it finalized and published.**

February 13, 2021 was the official opening of the Josephine + Mim shop inside the new KalamazooKitty Marketplace in Portage, MI. I, along with 59 other vendors from around southwest Michigan, joined KalamazooKitty owner, Kitty Copeland, as she opened her new 36,000 square-foot space inside the old Stein Mart building in the Shops of Romence Village shopping center. You can read more about KalamazooKitty here and her move to this new location here.

I first met Kitty back in 2016, when she organized and hosted a vintage and maker’s market (called the KalamazooKitty Marketplace) in Kalamazoo and it was my first BIG show after starting J + M (and only my second show ever). She kept my email address on file, so when she was looking for vendors for her new space, I was on the list of potential sub-lessees. I got her email just after Christmas and I almost deleted it, but I didn’t. I slept on it, mentioned it to my husband, prayed over it. And I’m so glad I replied to her. We met with her the first full weekend in January, picked out my spot and quickly transformed into a brand new shopping space.

This project of building my own store in a store has been a dream and a labor of love. Sometimes, things just come together, in a way that defies all logic. “A God job”, as a family acquaintance called things like this. My husband and brother-in-law spent one day building the walls. I purposely chose a space that had slat wall, but painting it was a bear. Per the fire code, we couldn’t use a ton of exposed wood or full walls, no ceiling. It was almost like being on a design show; parameters, deadlines, be unique and original. We had about 5 weeks to pull all of this off. But oh it was so much fun for my creative soul. I got to dig back into the creative cracks and crevices I hadn’t used since college and working in retail. I am on cloud 9. 

photo of empty Josephine + Mim shop at KalamazooKitty Marketplace
The future home of Josephine + Mim

Having not done any in-person shows last year, being sequestered to my house, I really had to reign in the projects I was able to do. So having this space will allow me to expand my inventory again and being to use my creativity to its fullest. The space isn’t 100% complete, but I’m so excited to see what it’s going to continue to grow into.

If you’re local or traveling to the West Michigan area, I hope you’ll visit. Reserve at least an hour, maybe more. There’s so much to see and I’m so blessed to be a part of this fantastic new marketplace.

Photo of Josephine + Mim shop at the KalamazooKitty Marketplace
Josephine + Mim at the KalamazooKitty Marketplace 2.13.21

Josephine + Mim @
The KalamazooKitty Marketplace
581 Romence Rd.
Portage, MI 49024

Store hours: Tues – Sat 10am – 6pm (EST)

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Meet Christine

Hi there! I'm Christine; founder & owner of Josephine + Mim. Fueled with passion, faith & caffeine, I look forward to helping you create a cozy home space with a carefully curated selection of goods; new, old and made.

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Josephine + Mim, LLC
It's a beautiful day to get out for some fresh air It's a beautiful day to get out for some fresh air, sunshine and if the mood should strike you, stop in to KalamazooKitty Marketplace (they're open until 6). I restocked my shop yesterday and did some rearranging. Did you know, all of the pillows you see here were made by me? That's right! I source the fabrics (concentrating on high quality, natural fiber fabrics), I cut all the pieces, stitch on the shamrock appliques, sew, stuff and finish each of pillows. 

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Josephine + Mim 
KalamazooKitty Marketplace
581 Romence Rd. 
Portage, MI 49024 

Tue - Sat 10am - 6pm

#shopsmall #discoverkzoo #shopjomim #kalamazookitty #westmichigan #homedecor #shamrockdecor #stpattysdecor #midwestliving #farmhousedecor
Happy Wednesday! This gorgeous canvas wall art pie Happy Wednesday! This gorgeous canvas wall art piece is now available for purchase in the shop at the KalamazooKitty Marketplace.

A bit more about these canvas art prints, as I have several different ones available right now. They are produced in North Carolina and very high quality. They are hand-stretched onto their frame, which protects the integrity of the fabric and printed with environmentally friendly, 100% UV stable inks. Each one is 12" x 18". They are simply stunning and would look great in any space in your home.

Fun fact about me, lilacs are my favorite flowering shrub, so when I came across this stunning vintage style piece, I knew it needed to be in my shop (no doubt one will also most likely find it's way into my home at some point too).

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Josephine + Mim at
KalamazooKitty Marketplace
581 Romence Rd.
Portage, MI 49024

Tues - Sat 10am - 6pm

#shopjomim #kalamazookitty #discoverkzoo #lilacart #homedecor #shopsmall #midwestliving #springdecor #vintagestyle #madeintheusa #supportsmallbusiness #269shops #buylocalkalamazoo
Essentials to get the upcoming week off to a great Essentials to get the upcoming week off to a great start. Happy Sunday! <3

#sundayvibes #refuelyoursoul #gratefulthankfulblessed #relax #enjoylife
A fresh batch of goods arrived to the shop today a A fresh batch of goods arrived to the shop today at the KalamazooKitty Marketplace. Stop in while the gettin' is good, items go quickly!

******
Tues - Sat 10am - 6pm
581 Romence Rd.
Portage, MI 49024

#discoverkalamazoo #269shops #ShopSmall #shopjomim #kalamazookitty #homedecor #springdecor #easterdecor #midwestliving #countryliving #stpattysdaydecor
Did you know there’s a cafe in the new Kalamazoo Did you know there’s a cafe in the new KalamazooKitty Marketplace? It’s true! You need sustenance to shop 36,000 sq ft. Grab a bite. 

#Repost @kalamazookitty with @get_repost
・・・
Breakfast time! 10-6 Tues-Sat.  All handmade by #offthecuffcatering !! Oh...lunch available too!

#shopsmall #269shops #discoverkalamazoo #portagemi #westmichigan #shopjomim #midwestliving
Whether you're working from home some of the time Whether you're working from home some of the time or all of the time, keep your space inspiring and uplifting with these fresh arrivals to our shop at The KalamazooKitty Marketplace this week. 

This shabby desk has been refreshed from a boring brown to a pretty sea green. Much more cozy than the cubicle.

These canvas prints are fresh from North Carolina. They help make the perfect backdrop for your next Zoom meeting (that still should could have been an email).

Stop by and check out these arrivals and more Tues - Sat 10am-6pm
 
Josephine + Mim at
The KalamazooKitty Marketplace
581 Romence Rd.
Portage, MI 49024

#jomimgoods #shopjomim #269shops #westmichigan #kalamazookittymarketplace #homedecor #wfhstyle #refurbishedfurniture #deskdecor #betterhomesandgardens #gallerywalldecor #midwestliving #grandrapids #kalamazoo
Do you decorate for St. Patty's Day? In the past Do you decorate for St. Patty's Day?  In the past I haven't and I won't do a whole lot, but I challenged myself to come up with a pillow design that was a bit more in keeping with some of the colors I use in my living room. The end result is this pretty cotton plaid shamrock applique in a soft mint green with silver metallic threads on a dark gray linen-look fabric. 

You can order one for yourself too - just tap the photo to shop. ☘️

#shamrockpillow #shopjomim #stpatricksdaydecor #stpattysdaydecorations #betterhomesandgardens #luckoftheirish #homedecor #throwpillow #cottagesandbungalows #cottagestyle #farmhousestyle
This quote is one of my favorites. #qotd #quotes This quote is one of my favorites.

#qotd #quotes #beautiful #makersgonnamake #createeveryday
I love when our customers share photos of our prod I love when our customers share photos of our products in their homes. These black & white buffalo check bowl fillers offer the perfect accent and softness to the other objects in the decorative bowl.

#jomimgoods #buffalocheck #farmhousedecor #buffaloplaid #farmhousestyle #farmhouse #buffalocheckobsessed #homedecor #buffalocheckdecor #buffalocheckthisout #buffaloplaidobsessed #beautifuldecorstyles #buffalocheckeverything #blackandwhite #shopsmall #rusticdecor
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Grand Op Thank you to everyone who came out to the Grand Opening of our new shop and the new KalamazooKitty! We are feeling so blessed and hope you enjoy this new space to get your in-person shopping fix. You can look forward to weekly restocks and the next one will be happening this Tuesday. 

Have a great Sunday and a wonderful Valentine's day. ❤️

#discoverkzoo #269shops #smallbusiness #boutiqueowner #homedecor #gratitude #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #countryliving #westmichigan #grandrapids #plainwellmichigan #portagemi #kalamazookitty
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