Hear more from the owners of Sugarcoat Home on the House of Lou podcast.
Antiques, to some, can come across as old and stuffy, but two local business owners are putting the kibosh on that way of thinking with their curated collection of colorful and unique treasures.
“Fun is our brand,” says Jessica Conway, co-owner of Sugarcoat Home. She and partner Kate Pollmann met years ago at their children’s school and discovered a shared passion for antiques. Their decision to go into business together in 2022 was borne out of necessity: The two had amassed so many precious finds during shopping trips to estate sales that they ran out of space at home to store their wares.
Today, the business partners continue to shop estate sales but have expanded their reach to include auctions, flea markets, and shopping trips to various cities across the country. “If I want it in my house, then I know it’s a good purchase,” says Conway, recalling how her husband once carried home a large brass swan from a trip to Palm Springs.
At Sugarcoat, whose wares are sold at three booths at Warson Woods Antique Gallery, customers will find a unique assortment of chinoiserie, wicker, and colorful lacquer furniture, among other objects. “It’s usually something that has a unique detail,” says Pollmann. “It’s hand-painted or it feels like somebody touched it or added some sort of detail.”
Antiques, vintage furniture, and home decor are the bulk of the business, but Conway and Pollmann also work in a handful of contemporary items to their offerings, including lamp shades and candles. Clients also have the option to email a picture of a piece of old brown furniture to determine if it’s a good candidate for a custom lacquer color. “We try to show people that you can add the old things to the new things and come up with something that’s really unique to you,” says Pollmann.
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In addition to stocking the three booths, the company maintains a local warehouse that they open to the public a few weekends a month, or by appointment.
To keep up with the warehouse schedule, follow the duo’s Instagram account, which showcases their inventory and offers home decorating ideas. The women’s weekly “Happy Hour” segment, where they discuss the business, as well as what’s going on in their own lives, has proven popular with their followers.
“We’re so silly,” says Conway. “We laugh a lot.”
So what’s next for Conway and Pollmann? The women say they plan to hold more regular hours at the warehouse in Olivette and add inventory to their website. Eventually, they’d like to open a store front.
“I’ve worked alone for a long time, and that’s not fun,” adds Pollmann. “It’s nice to work with someone because you can bounce ideas off of each other, you’re more productive, and in the end, it can seem more successful.”
Where: Warson Woods Antique Gallery 10091 Manchester, Dealer 36; Sugarcoat Home Warehouse 9705 Dielman Rock Island Industrial
