Aaron Maurin, owner of Rain Shadow Sales in downtown The Dalles, said his father, David, taught him an appreciation for collectibles of all kinds. His new store at 316 E. Second Street opens this week.
Aaron Maurin, owner of Rain Shadow Sales in downtown The Dalles, said his father, David, taught him an appreciation for collectibles of all kinds. His new store at 316 E. Second Street opens this week.
A new store that opens this weekend in the downtown business district will be a haven for collectors in The Dalles.
Aaron Maurin, the owner of Rain Shadow Sales Company, located at 316 E. Second Street, described his shop as a “unique vendor boutique” that will have a variety of antique and collectible consigned items for sale.
“I hope to open right after Thanksgiving, on Saturday,” Maurin said. “I’m still getting the store cleaned up and getting the sign up. All the little details. One by one they are falling in line.”
According to Maurin, there will be a huge variety of goods in Rain Shadow Sales, including works by local artists, antique metal signs, coins, postcards, political buttons, and even a vendor who will do “repurposing” of furniture.
“We’ll have antiques and various collectibles,” Maurin said.
“Every vendor is responsible for their own space, and each area will have its own feel.”
Six vendors will share space in Maurin’s 1,100 square foot store, although he will handle the sales.
The six who have signed on: Ben Harvey of Barn Find Antiques; Rich Murray of Tin Dimes; Ruth Beacher; Aaron Buchert; Mike and Connie Keith; and Stuart and Neva Austin.
“I feel really honored to have these vendors in here,” Maurin said.
“They are well-known names.”
Vendors will pay rent each month, and also a small portion of what is sold will go to Maurin.
“It’s a good way to get started,” he said. “I couldn’t exist without good vendors. There’s a big need to help people sell some items.”
Maurin said his interest in being a collector was a bit of a “like father, like son” situation.
“My dad, David, is a collector of odd things,” Maurin said.
“I’ve been collecting for years, and decided I’d better put a price tag on some of it, otherwise I’d keep collecting.”
Maurin said he connected with several people who were interested in finding a space to sell their items, and figured that would add more diversity to the items he offered.
“It gives them a place to get rid of their bigger items,” he said of starting the business.
Rain Shadow is Maurin’s first storefront, but he is no stranger to running his own business.
He has run a lawn maintenance business for years, a gig he plans to keep going for now to give him a little extra financial security.
“It’s a leap of faith when you do something like this,” he said.
Maurin said he is happy to see his passion for collecting find a business outlet where he will be able to share his collection with the public.
And if he doesn’t sell too much, Maurin said that’s OK too.
“I collect,” he said. “I just like stuff if it’s old and unusual and if it’s appealing to me.
“That way, if I can’t get rid of it, I’m stuck with something I’m going to like.”
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