By Kevin Collison
RE aka Restoration Emporium has relocated from the West Bottoms to 1717 Washington St. opening a combination retail and workshop for its home furnishings and decor operation.
Josh Huff said the family business had to leave its home of several years in the Bottoms at 1300 Liberty after the building was sold.
The new digs on the Westside, which opened a month ago, offer space to sell its blend of new and vintage furnishings.
“We’re big into refinishing and renewing pieces here, a mix of new and old,” he said. “We love to show people how you can use vintage pieces in newer environments.
It also has ample room for KC Furnishing Co, where Huff’s father, Jeff, helps fashion tables and other furniture from reclaimed wood and lumber.
“We recycle wood that’s worked hard all its life and ready to be a table.”
Some hardworking industrial lumber ready to be recycled as domestic furniture in the KC Furnishing workshop.
RE has been around for seven years and also has a second location in the Country Club Plaza at 4704 Wyandotte St.
Huff, who recently returned to Kansas City after living in Seattle for two years, said the city has been great to his family.
“We’ve always loved the Crossroads,” he said. “First Fridays inspired us to go to the West Bottoms and we love being part of Kansas City.
“We’re looking forward to continue to work with local artists.”
The new location has an open, bright feel in a former industrial building with concrete floors. The false ceiling has been removed to reveal the steel trusses supporting the roof.
The new RE also is part of a resurgence along Washington Street. It’s across the street from Sequence Climb, which just had its grand opening, and a block from the new YJ’s Snack Bar at 1746 Washington.
Huff said the new space retains the “heart” of RE.
“We brought the vendors from our old store,” he said.
In addition to the retail and workshop, RE offers classes including making magnolia wreaths and trays, painting and basic restoration techniques.
Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The new RE location at 1717 Washington joins a growing resurgence along the street.
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