Fly Away Home Décor ready to feather nests

When Niwotians Linda Vehrenkamp and Kathy Trauner met professionally, they instantly bonded as friends. For nearly 30 years they’ve continued their friendship as their lives unfolded; they met and married their husbands, changed careers, added children, and gave time to the community. Now they’ve decided to combine their talents and their kinship in a new business - Fly Away Home Decor.

Last fall while driving home from an unsatisfying home décor-shopping trip, Vehrenkamp and Trauner brainstormed about a furnishing business that would top the ones they had just seen. What started as a fun conversation became an earnest endeavor and a business plan was hatched.

In January they flew to the Las Vegas home and gift market. After getting their bearings at the immense event, their quest proved fruitful as they discovered high quality décor items that perfectly suited their tastes.

Now well stocked with several hundred pieces from over 10 different vendors, they’re ready to fling open their doors…umm, actually their tent because initially Fly Away Home will be a migratory business. Starting next week they’ll be popping up their 10-foot square tent at area fairs, markets, and sidewalk sales.

The pop up retail concept gives enterprises an opportunity to surprise new audiences with their wares while allowing entrepreneurs to test the waters and keep overhead costs low.

Among the items the partners have stocked are mother of pearl mosaic vases, hand painted porcelain stools, upholstered mango wood benches, woven one-of-a-kind heirloom Ecuadorian textile pillows, marble cheese trays and much more. They'll also be adding vintage and repurposed pieces from estate sales into the mix. Prices will range from the double to triple digits.

“We know competing with online [businesses] is tough,” Trauner said, “but at the same time, we know that customers want to see and feel the texture of fabrics, sit on benches, and see how each table is made.”

Vehrenkamp said, “We decided early on that we had to love what we’re selling. We want customers to have a fun experience and find those things that are a little more of a specialty and harder to find in our area.”

Pitching in on everything from coming up with the business name to constructing their website, Vehrenkamp’s and Trauner’s husbands and children are highly supportive of Fly Away Home’s ascent.

Trauner said their long-term dream is to have a downtown Niwot shop, but for now they want to gauge the public’s interest. This summer they will be roosting at various spots including Niwot’s First Friday Art Walks, the Louisville Street Faire, the Boulder Market, and the Denver Urban Market.

The grand opening will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 14, at Begin Fitness’s studio space located at 6800 N. 79th Street. They will be open for business at the Louisville Street Faire Fridays, July 13, 20, 27, and Aug. 10. For more information on the business, and additional dates and locations, visit www.FlyAwayHomeDecor.com.