Last year, Kristine Jinx-Kristan closed up her gallery on Shotgun Row and headed off to see the world. She rode back into town at Mardi Gras on the back of the Bast Krewe float, but soon she discovered that settling down requires sacrifice. So, Ms. Jinx-Kristan—KK to her friends—opened a secondhand store, “Look What the Cat Dragged In,” on the ground floor of Spiegel Hall.
“I’d just come off a year of traveling in which I seem to have acquired a lot of … stuff,” she explained. “I had the chance to become one of the first residents of Spiegel Hall, and didn’t have room for it all.”
There is a wide variety of treasures in Jinx-Kristan’s shop, from furniture to flying pigs. (The “greeter” flying around the front of the store is named Porky von Schweinenburg).
“I am pretty selective of what I put in the shop. I want things that appeal to the community, but also unusual or unique collectibles as well.”
Photo courtesy Ms. Kristine Jinx-Kristan
So far, mechanical horses and unicorns—which Jinx-Kristan points out are hard to store—seem to be selling well, as are music boxes. “I parted with a rare collectible one just this morning,” she said. “I was sad to part with it, but I know it will be enjoyed. Plus rent was due.”
The shop’s inventory was originally a personal garage sale—”I like to think I have some pretty nice junk,” Jinx-Kristan said—but business has been so successful that she has begun showing off her hunting skills.
“I’m always out looking for deals. I’ve had a few requests that I’ve tracked down. I like to think if I don’t have it, I can find it for you. Otherwise it doesn’t exist … yet.”
The store owner so enjoys tracking down a hard-to-find item that she doesn’t even charge extra for the service. Right now she’s on the lookout for nice rugs. “I don’t know what I’ll do if the one I have down now is bought, as it’s covering a few scratches on the flooring that I need to hide from the landlord. Some of the furniture is pretty heavy.”
Jinx-Kristan, who comes from the deserts of the southwest but whose family hails from Sas-cat-chewan, is happy to be back in New Toulouse, and particularly in Spiegel Hall.
“The park has always been one of my favorite places, so I love being near it,” she said. “I think Spiegel Hall has a great future in New Toulouse. I’m just really happy to be here. Everyone has been wonderful and friendly. I hope I can keep the shop going for a long time, and that people have fun looking around, even if they aren’t buying that day.”
“Look What the Cat Dragged In” is at #02 Spiegel Hall.
Jane Moreaux keeps all four eyes on New Toulouse.