Happy 2019! The new year is often a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, and it just so happens that the beginning of 2019 kicks off some particularly exciting new beginnings for Mary Carol and me! As you read in the last Nell Hill’s article, Mary Carol, who began Nell Hill’s as a gourmet food shop 37 years ago, sold the iconic Kansas City business to me, a Kansas City gal through and through. And while the deal is done and I’m officially the new steward of Nell Hill’s (read more on that here), the work is just getting started!
Mary Carol and I are taking to the transition with lots of laughs and learning along the way. For one, Mary Carol now has a boss! She jokes that she’s going to call in sick every chance she gets and I joke that she better remember to punch her time card! With way more free time, she tells me she is already driving Dan crazy, and loving every minute of it.
For me, this venture brings a lot of new firsts. The entire team has been gracious and warm, and I’m learning to extend myself some grace during this steep learning curve.
I’m so grateful for Mary Carol’s steady hand through this transition. As a matter of fact, the two of us are leaving for market today! It’s both exciting and overwhelming, but I can’t wait to give you a sneak peek of all the beautiful goodies we find when we get back. And don’t worry, Mary Carol will still be found floating around the shop for the next year, adding her signature touch here and there!
Above all, this transition reminds me of the importance of the relationships with the strong and supportive women in my life – the paths they have paved and the legacies they leave behind. My mother (along with my father) taught me that satisfaction that can be found in hard work and dedication to careers that we love. My grandmothers solidified my love of entertaining and decorating and the importance of creating a warm home. Grandma Olson introduced me to sewing at a young age and I’ve loved textiles ever since. A mentor and friend, Elizabeth, showed me time and time again that we can handle whatever life throws at us with grace and kindness. And of course, Mary Carol, who has built a place and experience like no other, has shown me and the rest of the world what passion and vision can accomplish. She has entrusted me with her “baby”, and I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to carry on her legacy.
As a new mom with a young family, I’m in the midst of building the home my husband and I have always dreamed of. Of course, a large part of that dream is gorgeous interiors and I cannot wait to give you an inside look at our adventures in addition to regular updates about the shop! We will continue to share inspired design ideas to help you make your dwelling the one you’ve always dreamed about, too!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for trusting me with the next chapter in Nell Hill’s history. I wish you a season of new beginnings and fresh starts, whatever that may mean for you!
– Katie
Stunning Summer Bedding 2022
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Nancy Sherman says
January 7, 2019 at 12:47 pmSo excited for you and Mary Carol as this unfolds! Can’t wait to see what new treasures are in store for me at Nell Hills!
Denise Glanzer says
January 7, 2019 at 12:54 pmVery excited for you and Mary Carol! Can’t wait to see everything from Market! Have Fun!
Melissa says
January 7, 2019 at 12:58 pmSo excited to see where you will take us on your decorating journeys!
Lisa says
January 7, 2019 at 1:03 pmBest wishes to you both on your new adventures!
Kathy Euston says
January 7, 2019 at 1:26 pmCongrats to you Katie!
Pretty sure MC wouldn’t let just “anybody” have her baby! You must be something else and I look forward to meeting you. Have a great time in Atlanta! Excited to see what y’a’ll bring back to KC!
Paul Mann says
January 7, 2019 at 1:47 pmBest of luck Katie, I look forward to seeing the personal stamp you put on Nell Hill’s, one of my favorite places to shop when visiting KC!
Gwen says
January 7, 2019 at 1:54 pmI can’t wait to see my favorite store under your tutelage. A road trip from Wisconsin is already in the plans. Best wishes and luck.
Jan Cooper says
January 7, 2019 at 2:03 pmCongratulations to both of, you! You will no doubt be as successful as Mary Carol!
My hope is it will be possible for you to have some things for purchase online for those of us who admire what the store carries but live out of state.
Jan Cooper
Minneapolis
JERRI COOPER says
January 7, 2019 at 2:10 pmLook forward to meeting you and seeing what is new and exciting at Nell Hills. Best of luck and good wishes to you and to Mary Carol!
Karen says
January 7, 2019 at 2:11 pmCongratulations to Katie and blessings to MaryCarol as you begin a new chapter in your life!! It sounds like the store is going to be in good hands and that MaryCarol will keep her helping hands busy!! Can’t wait to make another trip from Texas to see y’all this year!! Karen Miller in Fort Worth, Texas
Jill Monticue says
January 7, 2019 at 2:45 pmOne door is closing, another opening. Change can be good, especially for you, Katie, coming in on the heels of Mary Carol’s guidance. Both of you are wished the best of all your new lives bring.
Nancy Hutchison says
January 7, 2019 at 3:25 pmWishing you ALL the best. We lived in KC for only 3 years but fell in love with Nell Hill’s immediately. We have been gone for 11 years but follow MC regularly. Have told my friends here in ATL we need to make a road trip. I am sure you will be a great success. Looking forward to your blogs.
Mark and Janice (Bannister) Feaster says
January 7, 2019 at 3:36 pmCongratulations! What an opportunity you have – extending a wonderful tradition and adding your special touches – wishing you all the best and looking forward to our next return to Nell Hill’s. Mark and Jan Feaster, Galveston, TX (IBCs)
Karen says
January 7, 2019 at 3:38 pmLooking forward to more of the beauty I have seen over the last several years! Few stores left with this quality and style. Best wishes!
Joanie Wyatt says
January 7, 2019 at 4:39 pmCongratulations, and best of luck to you both. Always a favorite stop when passing through KC.
Joyce Huff says
January 7, 2019 at 4:59 pmCongratulations to both of you and your new adventures. Excited to see the new transitions in my favorite shop.
Sandy Lair says
January 7, 2019 at 5:18 pmLooking forward to getting to know you. Enjoy market. See you soon!
Jerry Ballard says
January 7, 2019 at 5:21 pmBest wishes! What a darling family picture! I’ll look forward to seeing you! Mary Carol has made great choices in most everything .. so I’m sure to like you and the things you bring to your new place! Are you keeping the Nell Hills name? Jerry Ballard
Jeanine Scott says
January 7, 2019 at 5:53 pmCongratulations Katie! My husband and I have traveled from Michigan since 2009 to purchase a piece or pieces at a time to fill our home. I hope we can make it out there soon to meet you and give Mary Carol a gib hug!!! Jeanine Scott (Detroit, Michigan)
franki says
January 7, 2019 at 6:20 pmYOU CAN do it!! You certainly have “high heels” to fill! You GO!! franki
Ronda Meierhoffer says
January 7, 2019 at 6:22 pmWelcome Katieeveryone is thrilled for both MC & you in your new adventures . I will miss seeing MC’s sparking smile but will also b happy for her to enjoy her time with Dan. I look forward to meeting you & know Nell Hills will flourish under your ownership .
Judi says
January 7, 2019 at 6:29 pmBest wishes to you and MC in your new adventures! Have loved the store and weekly blogs for years!
Betsy Woods says
January 7, 2019 at 7:22 pmCongratulations Mary Carol for building an amazing empire of exciting finds,
experiences and treasure hunting in your stores. It was always the best fun ever
to go shopping sometimes with girlfriends in tow. When traveling, I always
tried to make my itinerary include a shopping day at Nell Hills, now from SW Utah.
I found Nell Hills the first time when you were in your original building. Loved it and
every time you added another room or another building, the quality remained and the
treasure hunting even more exciting. Now you and Dan can create your own calendar.
Enjoy, you deserve it. We raise our glass to you for building an outstanding mecca for shoppers.
Linda Porter says
January 7, 2019 at 7:32 pmCongrats on buying Mary Carol’s baby. Best of luck. I hardly get to KC, but if so, will visit.
On another note, Mary Carol, I’m preparing to finally go through pic albums of mom’s and mine next mo. after my taxes are ready to prep, so if you’d still like pics of you & Penny, please email me, as don’t have your new address or phone. I know I’ll most likely find more as I do this, at least the one’s that Ash doesn’t have.
Linda
Helen F. says
January 7, 2019 at 8:21 pmI started to visit Nell Hills almost 30 years ago. As a creative Hallmark employee, NH was a place of creative renewal and reinforced trends we were seeing in the marketplace. (pre-internet!) I remember our team taking day trips to Atchison for a “day-away” that was truly inspiring! I was starting my family and decorating my new home at the time. Bringing home a treasure from Nell Hills in Atchison, KS every fall was a tradition for me. I am coming to a cross-roads in my own life, as my daughters are graduating college and high school this year. Ready to look at a new nest to call home as we “right-size” in this later stage of life. Glad to hear Mary Carol has found someone to entrust this business to. It’s been part of my adult life for many years, and will continue to trek to NH as I look for ideas to decorate a new space in the next year or two!
Kathy Juracek says
January 8, 2019 at 1:52 amI love getting Nell Hills emails..wish you were in Seattle !
Congratulations!!!!
Arlene Monroe says
January 8, 2019 at 7:01 amSuch exciting times. Looking forward to see what you share with us. We know you are brave and daring. Raising a family, building your home AND taking on this baby many of us have grown to love. No small task, and not for your average bear. Best wishes to you and Mary Carol in your new endevours.
Jan Peters says
January 8, 2019 at 7:47 amCan’t wait to check out Nell Hill..hopefully in June when I’m in the Midwest. Enjoy market~~~and so proud of you!
Pamela McClanahan says
January 13, 2019 at 4:51 pmNell Hills has been a favorite place to shop ever since I discovered it in the Victoria magazine several years ago. I showed it to my husband and bless his dear heart he took me there and we loaded up the car…we were living in Fort Collins ,Colorado. For 16 years I was privileged to work for an equally amazing woman in Ft.Collins,Co who has two amazing shops,Sense of Place and The Perennial gardener, so I know first hand what a huge project this is going to be,but oh so rewarding. Best of luck and enjoy!!!
Patsy Jackson says
March 4, 2019 at 4:07 pmI enjoyed seeing some of your new lamps. I live in southern Mo. and can’t stop in often, and would love to see more of your new items in your weekly blog. I saw a red and white lamp on a blog, it was last springs lamp and were all sold. Would also like to see your fabrics and your wonderful treasures.