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How One Woman’s Dream Transformed A City Block…and Her Life

June 7, 2021

How does a derelict, abandoned gas station go from being an eyesore to a feast for the eyes? Three words: My friend Ginny (and family—okay, five words).

Ginny, her husband Chris, and their kids are responsible for transforming an unsightly city block of Paducah into a thriving business that attracts visitors from across the country.

At age 53, after a 14-year stint in marketing and a 21-year career as a teacher, Ginny decided to pursue her dream of owning an antique business. Her parents had operated one as she and her siblings grew up and Ginny thought it would be fun to continue the family tradition.

She and Chris, who is an attorney, began looking for an older building to restore. Their first choice fell through. And as so often is the case, God had a better idea. They found the tiny, run-down, old filling station.

I’m not kidding when I say their renovation is jaw-dropping.

Frenchtown Station’s roots go back to the 1830s, when several French immigrants settled in Paducah, Ky., resulting in the nickname Frenchtown. The building itself is a 1930’s era filling station.

Now, instead of the scent of gasoline and tires filling the air, the fragrance of heavenly small-batch, regionally-made candles perfume it. That, and fresh flowers and herbs when the season allows.

The small shop is home to a variety of treasure, an eclectic blend of antique, vintage, garden, industrial, architectural, and wonderful regionally-made products.

But Wait! There’s More

Shortly after Frenchtown Station was up and running, another small, run-down building right next door became available. Built in 1947, Slim’s Barbecue had been an iconic local favorite.

At their son Will’s urging, Ginny and Chris bought Slim’s and transformed it, too. Now Will manages and buys merchandise for the re-imagined space they call Slim’s Frenchtown Mercantile.

So, now the block offers two shops that are curated with care. And the businesses reach far beyond Kentucky. On a typical Saturday, visitors from Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, and St. Louis will browse the shops. Visitors from as far away as Texas and Colorado have shopped there. It’s an experience rather than simply a shopping event.

“The buildings themselves are wonderful because they’ve been reimagined,” Ginny says. “What we really offer is experiential and unique. We research everything we do at both stores and give a lot of thought to the merchandise we carry. I think the care we put into it all causes people to come back.”

The Story’s Still Not Over

Come back to my blog on Thursday to find out about Ginny’s favorite products. Here’s a hint: they are reimagined, repurposed items, too!

So, what about you? Do you have a dream you’ve delayed pursuing? Do you think you’re too old now to start something new?

There’s still time, friend! Go for it!

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