Don't Let Olive Emerson Out My Visit To The Rag Picker In Hodges SC
I was on my back from a commercial listing appointment this morning and decided to pay a visit to a local business The Rag Picker on my way back to the office. I've been looking for a farm house table to go in my kitchen and a friend told me she found perfect table there last week. 
I was greeted by a sign on the door that said "Don't Let The Cat Out", I knew by that I was entering into friendly territory. Olive Emerson, a black and white Tuxedo cat that had not missed many meals, greeted me warmly making sure she got petted before I got too far in the door. Tammy Rogers part owner of the second hand shop called out from behind the counter "come on in make yourself at home"! I knew when I stepped inside the front door I could pull up one of the chairs that were scattered around and sit and chat awhile; and I did.
Tammy Rogers part owner holds down the store and partner Mary Seales, works for Pathology Services Association in Greenwood. Tammy says Mary is the creative inspiration in the partnership and sometimes comes after hours works late into the night rearranging and decorating the shop. After talking with Tammy awhile I found out that Tammy gave up a boring desk job that brought her to Greenwood originally to do what she has wanted to do since she can remember, open a second hand store. She says her inspiration was a favorite great aunt named Polly, who she visited a lot as a child. Aunt Polly had a love for collecting "precious treasures" and never threw anything away. Polly instilled in Tammy a love for collecting and Tammy started collecting on her own from a very early age. She said she never got rid of anything. She said she had "collected" so much she ran out of room to put it all and hence The Rag Picker on Hwy 25 in Hodges and just outside of Greenwod was born and her real job was history. 
Tammy and Mary have been in business for two years and say business is like any other it's feast or famine. They have 20 venders who sell on consignment. Their business comes from the locals, as well as vacationers and other visitors who flock to the area in the spring and summer to spend time on Lake Greenwood and visting some of the historic sites and towns dotted around the area.. Tammy says she has lived from Baltimore to the Pocono's and says Greenwood is where she finally felt like she had come home. She loves the small town feel while enjoying the amenities you would find in a bigger town.
It was time for me to take a look around and Olive was nice enough to give me the VIP tour leading me around the shop showing me the way into the different rooms with it's diplays of china, freshly starched linens,hand painted furniture and original antiques, and displays. Showing me her preferences and favorite hiding places. The table I came to look at was sold but that's ok she'll be on the lookout for another one for me and in the meantime I found a very special place and some new friends in Olive and Tammy. I'll be returning another day to visit and shop. At The Rag Picker If you are ever in the area or want to go online and shp be sure and tell Tammy Sally Morris sent you!
Comments(2)