Ground Floor: Minnesota antique business finds home in Czech Village

Relocating for a spouse's new job is always a challenge, but in Becky Olson's case, there were a few extra steps involved when her husband accepted a position in Cedar Rapids last December.

In addition to packing up and moving a household, she had to relocate an antique store's inventory from Minnesota to Iowa. And then she had to find a suitable space in which to reopen her business.

Olson found that space in Czech Village, in the historic Babi Buresh home owned by the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

'I wanted something with character,” Olson said. 'When this location became available, I knew I either had to jump in and do it or forget about it and sell my inventory.”

She opened Forget Me Not Antiques and Gifts on March 13, just in time for the St. Joseph's Day parade in Czech Village on March 21.

The shop carries a wide assortment of primitives, antique and vintage items, and gifts like candles, rugs and handmade aprons.

Olson first got into the antiques business in 2010. She had been working as a paramedic for nearly a decade and was ready for a change.

With a love of antiques and a desire to open her own business, Olson decided to convert a barn on the property she and her husband owned into an antique and gift store.

Olson operated Hayloft Antiques and Gifts for four years. Because the barn was not heated, the shop opened in May and closed in November.

Getting used to a year-round operation is just one of the adjustments Olson has to make with her Cedar Rapids store.

'I'm still feeling out what customers around here are looking for,” she said. 'For example, in Minnesota, oak had run its course. Here, oak seems to be popular again.”

Olson also has to get used to operating on a smaller scale. Her new location is about a third of the size of her former shop in terms of square footage and features the small doorways and narrow passageways typical of homes built in late 1800s.

'I used to have a lot of large cupboards in Minnesota,” Olson said. 'I'm learning to scale down items because it can be hard to get stuff in here.”

Another big change is moving from her first shop's rural setting, but Olson enjoys being a part of the Czech Village community.

'It's great working with the other stores,” she said. 'Everyone helps each other out.”

l Owner: Becky Olson

l Business: Forget Me Not Antiques and Gifts

l Address: 77 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids

l Phone: (319) 826-2310

l Website: www.forgetmenotantiquesandgifts.com

l Know a company or manager who has been in business for less than a year that would be ideal for 'Ground Floor”? Contact George Ford at george.ford@thegazette.com.