Trends: Kitschy Things

Looking for a giant lucky cat, shark clock or felt birdhouse camper? Kitschy Things has eclectic lovely gifts and home decor. 

Text and Photos by Stefanie Godfrey 

[dropcap size=dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen someone has a great laugh, it has a way of putting you at ease almost immediately.

Kitschy Things owner Michele Rogolino has that kind of laugh. I met up with her outside of Gatherings on Asbury on a blue Asbury Avenue bench to chat about one of our favorite things, shopping. Michele took her love of shopping to the next level last May when she opened her pop up shop a year ago.

“Opening a store was always in the back of my mind. I have a passion for products, home décor. Not furniture, just little tchotchkes,” she said. “I love this street, I love this town. I wanted to be part of the action.”

Pop up shops have been a big trend the last few years. They are shops within shops, generally with a temporary setting, which can last days, months or sometimes, years. Bag Room owner Bob Taylor had this c
o-op concept in mind, when Hurricane Sandy hit back in 2012.

“Hurricane Sandy forced my hand. The whole store was destroyed. We had the chance to do it and the time was then,” Bob said.

The concept took off. The shop’s foot traffic greatly increased the past two years and Bob sees it as a way to help his shop, and help others like Michele.

“If you have a small space and stock it with the things that really move, you don’t have too much expense and you can keep your job while you build up your business. The risk is low, the return is higher,” said Bob.

For Michele, this was the only way to go. She is a busy mom of three boys who works full time in the medical industry.

“I wandered in and realized Gatherings had just started this concept. I liked it because it’s a smaller store – he has about ten spots. Bob is very easy to work with,” said Michele. “This is a very easy concept to get your foot in the door in the world of retail. I work full time for a pharmaceutical company and I come to my store when I need to. Bob runs the shop and I run the merchandise in my store, my section.”
And what an eclectic section it is. One look around her shop and you’ll see a shark clock, felt birdhouses in the shape of campers, beer soap, a portable barbecue grill shaped like a toolbox, a spoon specifically designed to hold an Oreo cookie for dunking, art, and beach bags. There are things for men, women, dogs, cats, and children. Michele’s love of product developed when she worked as a buyer for a Japanese catalog company.

“I’ve always loved gifts, loved to shop and I like to share what I love with others,” Michele said. “If my stuff makes you smile and laugh, and think of someone else – that’s kitschy.”

>>>> Kitschy Things popped up last May and is going strong at Gatherings on Asbury, 700 Asbury Avenue. Call 609-365-6585 or visit their Facebook page – KitschythingsNJ