November 22 — Something old... Something new...

Sumner furniture and home décor store invites customers in with combination of old and new furniture, home décor

Roxanne Cooke / of the Herald

Walk into Anastacia’s and there’s a homey, inviting atmosphere. Faint music fills the air and glassware of all shapes, sizes and colors sits on antique furniture.

Co-owner Tina Layman welcomes customers with a smile. Most are repeat shoppers coming to see what’s new or to pick up that little something they found on a previous visit.

The welcoming ambiance of the Sumner store isn’t something that was planned for the vintage furniture and home décor shop, Layman admitted.

“(But) whatever we’re doing people like,” she said.

Layman opened Anastacia’s in June with her business partner Jenny Denison. She describes it as “very eclectic” and obtains her retail from a variety of vendors, estate auctions and garage sales.

A little bit of new, some used and a lot of vintage items can be found in just about any nook and cranny of the 1,800-square foot store. Artwork (some of Layman’s own) hangs from the walls, vintage books fill baskets and jewelry is displayed in a case at the front counter.

Layman’s interest in old items, coupled with the new and unique, is exactly what she wanted for her store.

“When you put them together, they look good,” she said.

Vintage items go fast, but the new ones aren’t far behind, either, Layman said. Business has gone well for her in Sumner — better than in her previous store in Enumclaw.

For four years she ran Anastacia’s in Enumclaw. Before that, her store was named Corner Cupboard and was located in Buckley, where she currently lives.

The new store name honors her late mother, who shared her daughter’s love of vintage things.

“She loved all this stuff,” Layman said.

Before Buckley, Layman sold her items through antique malls and booths at festivals and shows. She started in 1985 after a friend encouraged her to sell items from her growing collection.

“You just start doing it,” she said. “I’ve always liked older stuff.”

The current store is the first one she has operated with a business partner. Denison was formerly one of her vendors, but agreed to team up with Layman because the two – now close friends – work well together.

“We get along great,” Layman said. “I wouldn’t have done it with anybody else.”

In April, Denison helped Layman get through her husband’s death, something that drew them even closer together. And when it was time to pack up and move to the Sumner shop, six of her vendors helped out, something that amazed her during the rough patch, she said.

Layman made the move after hearing from a local merchant that the space was available. Anastacia’s replaced Golden Rule Bears, a teddy bear shop.

“I’d like to be here a long time,” Layman said.

That may be in the cards for Layman — several regulars showed up and made purchases on a recent weekday afternoon.

One of her regulars, Debbie Hauck, said she likes several things about the store, which she visits a few times a month.

“I like the variety…and the price,” said Hauck, who lives in Sumner.