Once an anchor store in Fort Scott Historic Downtown, Country Cupboard staff is opening the store at 12 N. Main on Saturdays only until the end of the year in a liquidation sale, according to employees.
Home decor, jewelry, clothing, cards, old fashion candy were among the offerings of the store, as well as Kansas State University accessories.
“Judy (Renard, the owner) was a true K-State fan,” a 20-year employee Sheila Blubaugh, said.
“We had the latest trends in merchandise,” Blubaugh, said. “Judy had a good ability to pick out something that was going to be popular. People came from lots of places, to shop here.”
“Judy was good at, if somebody wanted something we didn’t have, she would try to get it for them,” Marie Wiley, an almost 30-year employee, said. “She was a good boss, as well.”
Judy’s husband, John, had a shoe repair business inside the shop.
John died in December 2019, and Judy died this year in September.
In the last few years, the shop has been opened only rarely, as Judy had been ill.
Since the Good Ol Days Event this year in June, the shop has been open on Saturdays, Wiley said.
Now until the end of the year, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, shoppers can purchase antiques, store displays, former consignment items, and store merchandise that is for sale.
All are included in the liquidation sale.
“We have boxes of old consignment items,” Wiley said. “Some are being given away.”
The Renard family has listed the business property with real estate agent, Crystal Mason, Blubaugh said.
The family is comprised of Renard’s four children, Jim, Dallas, TX; Ron, Marshall, MO; David, Mapleton, and Dee Anne Miller, Fort Scott.
The building has two stories and a basement, Wiley said.
History of the business
Judy Renard started her business as the Calico Cottage, in a different building on Main Street, Blubaugh said.
“The shop featured handmade items, sold on consignment,” Blubaugh said.
Then Judy and John purchased the current location at 12 N. Main, about 40 years ago, Wiley said.
The building was originally a men’s clothing store, then A & P Grocery Store and then a men’s Western shop-when the Renard’s bought it, Wiley said.