A new retail store, Rustic Rose, opened its doors on October 1 at 419 Main St. in downtown Grand Junction. Owners Ramani Arnett and Blake Fransen aim to provide local residents with a diverse selection of vintage, antique, and new items, focusing on affordable prices and an invitingly clean shopping environment.
Arnett described the shop as "a little-bit-of-everything store," featuring both old and new items for people of any age, including goods for men and women. The inventory ranges from Western vintage and antiques to unique new works from various makers. Examples include painted bottles by 73-year-old Miss Vicki from Delta, patchwork denim jackets from Dee Wang Studios in New York, and custom rustic solid-wood furniture by Fernando, who is based in Arizona and also creates blown glass used in lamps and chandeliers. The store also carries mosaic works by a second Vicky, t-shirts from one artistic woman, and "oddity stuff for the goth kind of kids" from another. Blake Fransen, a woodworker and furniture maker himself, contributes many of the lamps and some wild-game mounts found in the store.
Fransen noted that while customers might initially see furniture and mounts through the window, they often discover the full range of other items upon entering. Arnett believes most visitors will find something appealing, highlighting sections dedicated to kids' clothes and toys, wood-carved horses, and unique pieces like a 1935 Streamline Sky King tricycle and a 2007 Harley-Davidson Heritage motorcycle near the front. Arnett emphasized her goal was to ensure a diverse selection for everyone.
A core focus for the owners is affordability. Arnett stated her goal was to make items affordable for everyone, explaining that items acquired at a good price receive only about a 25 percent markup to keep customer costs down. She cited an instance where a young customer purchased a vintage Levi’s jean jacket for $35, a price significantly lower than the typical $80. Arnett, having been a single mother to three children, underscored the importance of accessible pricing, though the store also features high-end and more expensive selections.
Cleanliness and presentation are also paramount. Arnett noted their commitment to ensuring the store is clean, drawing from past experiences in antique or thrift stores that sometimes felt uninviting due to lack of tidiness. To help customers envision items in their own homes, the owners display pieces in "decor settings," which Arnett said was a key advantage over simply selling at booths. Positive customer feedback, according to Arnett, described the store as feeling like a museum, encouraging visitors to browse longer.
The path to opening Rustic Rose began when Arnett and Fransen, a married couple from Montana, traveled the country on motorcycles and realized their collection of vintage and antique items had grown too large for simple booth sales. Seeking a more temperate climate for retirement, they chose Grand Junction. After leasing the space on June 15, Fransen, a general contractor for 35 years, led the renovations, which included new flooring, walls, an exposed ceiling, and exposed natural brick. A high school student, Connor Steele, also provided assistance with labor during the summer.
Arnett stated the store was designed to be the kind of place they themselves always wanted to find but never could. Fransen added that they receive considerable positive feedback from customers who simply enjoy walking around and discovering the various items. Arnett also expressed appreciation for the Grand Junction community, characterizing its residents as "nice, open people" compared to other places they have visited across the U.S.
