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WTKR News 3 Interview

We're Open: The Industrial Cottage sees 40% increase in sales as homeowners redecorate during pandemic

NORFOLK, Va. - What was once old becomes new again in the workshop of the Industrial Cottage in Norfolk.

"We can refinish it, restain it, hand-paint it or lacquer it," said owner Molly Tilman.

The Industrial Cottage started about five years ago, specializing in re-purposed dressers and tables. The business then moved into a warehouse space on Church Street in Norfolk in 2018, becoming a furniture store where funky finds and vintage pieces pop again.

"We just bring it back to life and give you a new look for your home," Tilman said.

At this time last year, designers were diving into projects as the pandemic took a seat.

"It was scary. The first three weeks, we were very much in shock, so we were holding our breath waiting to see if we would lose it all or keep it afloat," Tilman said.

Then the phone started to ring off the hook.

"Orders began to snowball," Tilman said. "People were sitting at home looking at their houses and saying, 'If I'm going to be sitting here, we should make it pretty.'"

Crazy, explosive growth happened -- the store saw a nearly 40 percent increase in sales as homeowners yearned for a fresh new look.

"It is very humbling and we are very grateful," Tilman said.

With that growth, the Industrial Cottage is adding on new employees and expanding.

We got a sneak peek at their new Home Reimagined collection, full of housewares, kitchen accessories, bedding, textiles and more.

"People aren't just walking out with dressers -- now they want all the accessories to go on top of it," Tilman said.

And unlike other furniture and home goods stores, the Industrial Cottage isn't fighting shipping delays here -- another reason for growth. "We can get things out often in 4 to 6 weeks," Tilman said.

The new collection will be unveiled this Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

Watch the full video HERE

By: Chelsea Donovan, WTKR News 3

Posted at 6:06 PM, Mar 18, 2021

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I Love Norfolk Show Interview

Watch our video interview with Dan Inman of the I Love Norfolk Show HERE

Press Release

Local Small business, The Industrial Cottage, expands space & introduces new line of products called "Home Reimagined"

March 2021, Norfolk, Va. -Two years since The Industrial Cottage first opened its doors on Church Street, this family-owned small business is undertaking its largest and most extensive expansion yet. The launch of their newest collection "Home Reimagined" on March 20th, 2021 will be an expansion of both space and brand, introducing a new line of products including kitchen-ware, textiles, linens, and home decor. While the company's primary focus remains furniture based, bringing in these other elements allows it to be an all-encompassing, one-stop shop for all things home!

The Industrial Cottage has quickly become Hampton Road's go to for unique and funky furniture finds. Specializing in the refinishing of vintage and antique furniture, owner, Molly
Tilman, takes these previously loved pieces and restores them using a variety of techniques such as hand painting, staining, and lacquering.

The business experienced substantial growth last year as word begin to spread of Molly's amazing talents. Even amid a polarizing pandemic the business exceeded 2 times its projected
growth for 2020. Molly shares, "this amazing growth has led to the hiring of 4 new employees and now the exciting expansion of our new space and product offerings!" This expansion will
include an all-new kitchenware area. A beautiful mock kitchen with crisp, white painted cabinets, butcher block countertop, oversized- custom-built farmhouse hood, floating shelves, and hand-painted island set the perfect backdrop to showcase new accessories like pitchers, cutting boards, mixing bowls, dining sets, glassware, cloth napkins, placemats, serving trays, and much more. In addition to the newly built kitchen area, the entire left wing of the building will re-open, revealing freshly painted walls, new custom built-ins for amply display and storage needs,
and two beaded chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. These along with other creative upgrades seen throughout the shop will give this amazing old brick warehouse on the edge of
Lindenwood Neighborhood the much needed facelift it deserves!

Molly and her husband, Quentin, are long time Norfolk natives. They planted their roots and raised their family right here in the Hampton Roads area. They served as foster parents in the
Norfolk and Virginia Beach community for 5 years, adopting 3 of the 6 children they have together. So, when it came to opening a store front of their own it was only natural that it be in the city they love most. Molly share, "Lindenwood is growing and changing, and we want to be a part of helping the city of Norfolk continue to develop this wonderful part of the city."

About The Industrial Cottage
The Industrial Cottage is a family -owned furniture & home goods store located in Norfolk, VA, specializing in the refinishing of vintage & antique goods, offering a wide variety of customizable options like hand painting, staining, and lacquering. All refinishing is done in house by t rained professionals. Additional services include Interior Design, Custom builds, On site & in-home painting, and To the Trade programs. The Industrial Cottage strives to be a great source for local DIYer's as well by offering classes, workshops, and tutorials. They are also a retailer of Fusion Mineral Paints & supplies. The Industrial Cottage is located at 2500 B Church St., Norfolk, VA 23504 and is open 6 days a week: Tuesday through Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 12-6pm.