Friday, May 1, 2009
Business of the Month--The Cedar Stump
Fast Facts
Business: The Cedar Stump
Location: 13 Market St., Barnesville, GA 30204
Phone: 770-358-9968
Web Site: http://www.thecedarstump.com/
Proprietors: Rickey and Melanie Miller
Housed in one of Barnesville's amazing antebellum buildings on Market St., boasting a foot-thick (or more) limestone wall and a history that includes operating as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War, the Cedar Stump is a 2800 square foot feast for the eyes and other senses. In order to really get a feel for this special place we recommend visiting several times. As owner Melanie Miller says, "Things are always changing."
And thanks to Melanie's knack for interior design the floorspace is a wonderful mix of handmade log furniture (which Melanie's husband Rickey makes), selections from multiple local artists, and unique regional finds. There truly is too much to list: antiques, including an 1850's pump organ, a genuine Dr.'s buggy of the kind that put Barnesville on the map, organic herbs, handmade candles, canned jellies, and much more. You'd think a store with this much to offer would be crowded but it actually feels just right. It's as if you took the best handmade items from a Cracker Barrel and a Stuckey's and hired a professional designer to decorate the interior of your mountain cabin.
The Cedar Stump allows selected local artisans to consign pieces to the store without charging rent. The store receives a percentage of the artist's sale depending on where it is located in the store (18% for wall or shelf space, 20% for floor space; an additional 2% is charged to the consignee for credit card sales. Prices for the customer are the same.) Among the local artists featured are jewelry makers, painters, photographers, and sculptors.
Among the larger impressive pieces on display are a 1908 wood-burning stove, a Coca-Cola themed diner booth, a General Store within the store, the aforementioned Dr.'s buggy and the handmade log beds. Rickey Miller began working with wood back in high school. Later he worked for the Lane furniture company and then a couple other cabinet shops. In 1988 the Millers decided to build a log home and eventually did. Once completed they needed furniture that complemented it. After shopping and buying expensive items they realized that Rickey could make pieces of similar quality and eventually this became an enjoyable pastime. The Millers began to attend craft festivals selling their handmade log furniture. They even tried setting up shop in other middle Georgia towns before settling in Barnesville about three years ago. When asked why they chose Barnesville, Rickey was quick to give credit to the caring people in this community and the feeling that small businesses are wanted here. "They will come in here and [we] check on each other," he said. It was also mentioned that having a store front was much easier than carrying log furniture to one festival after another!
The end result is a win-win situation. The Miller's have a place they really enjoy doing business and the townsfolk get a quality selection of interesting and useful furniture and decor items, most of which have a local connection. More than once the topic of partnering "locally" came up. The Miller's strongly believe in this. Rickey said, "We know firsthand how it is to get started. If we can help locals by putting them in our shop [we do]." Concerning paying a little more for something made locally, Rickey responded with the feeling that the quality of an item could be trusted and that, "Handmade items are one of a kind."
My advice: Visit The Cedar Stump soon and then go back often. You will not be disappointed in the selection, the quality, or the ambiance. For more info see The Cedar Stump website.
