Could 31—Recognizing the worth of a hands-on procuring expertise, Rik Samoylenko is trying ahead to the grand opening of his store, Sandstone Items + Buying and selling, on Thursday.
Samoylenko is a superb instance of an entrepreneur returning to his former stomping grounds to convey one thing particular to the group.
Earlier than Sandstone was developed as a storefront, it was a web-based store developed throughout the pandemic. Samoylenko had moved again to Bakersfield in 2017 after quitting his job with Anthropologie, for which he had been a visible supervisor and helped launch retailer openings across the U.S..
He wrote in an electronic mail, “On the finish of 2017 I made a decision it was time to alter issues up — I stop my job, moved house to Bakersfield, and began the primary steps in my new journey.”
Supplementing his graphic design diploma from San Diego State, Samoylenko enrolled in structure and culinary lessons at Bakersfield Faculty. He additionally started forging connections with native small companies, artists and distributors locally.
He describes Sandstone as a house decor and way of life model “providing prime quality, handmade dinnerware, glassware, kitchen equipment, candles, house textiles, houseplants and planters, together with boutique portions of males’s and girls’s attire, skincare, and extra.”
Together with the web site, which he began in 2020, the enterprise proprietor started collaborating in pop-up occasions in 2021 together with the Vacation Craft & Vendor Present on the West Facet Recreation & Park District in Taft, vendor markets hosted by BakoBox creator Kami Paulsen, the Bakersfield Museum of Artwork’s Artwork After Darkish Pleasure Occasion, Vacation Market at Seven Oaks Enterprise Park and the Second Saturday vacation market hosted by Tlo Wines.
He wrote of the expertise, “The response from this group throughout vendor pop-ups was unimaginable and I may see a niche within the native marketplace for merchandise that not solely I used to be searching for, however others had been additionally desirous about shopping for — lovely, high-quality items which are made within the USA, spotlight small companies right here in Kern County, are produced by way of sustainable strategies, or are fair-trade world merchandise that assist construct the social and economical constructions of the folks and cultures who make them.”
Samoylenko knew he wished to take the subsequent step to open a brick-and-mortar store to permit clients an immersive exercise.
“Purchasing must be an all-sensory expertise — there is a magnificence in having the ability to really feel every textile, to strive on a well-made pair of denims, to scent the highest notes and undertones of candles or perfumes, to completely expertise the setting and the imaginative and prescient of a model in individual,” he wrote.
He researched areas and labored with Cal State Bakersfield’s Small Enterprise Growth Middle, which he described as “a implausible, utterly free useful resource that I utilized for market data and basic enterprise planning.”
The enterprise can also be licensed by the Nationwide LGBT Chamber of Commerce as an LGBTQ+ owned and operated enterprise, and Samoylenko mentioned he goals to create a secure and respectful group for all to get pleasure from.
He wrote, “I consider that illustration is a vital consider enterprise and it may be an inspirational spotlight to others.”
Samoylenko is happy for Thursday’s grand opening and ribbon chopping, after which the shop will open to the general public. June 2 at 10am, and we have determined to open to the general public proper after. KUZZ will probably be on web site broadcasting from 3 to five p.m., with a prize wheel and giveaways.
A raffle will probably be held throughout all the grand opening weekend, with clients receiving one raffle ticket for each $10 spent. A portion of earnings from the weekend will profit a neighborhood charity.
“Bakersfield is an incredible metropolis and has a particular place in my coronary heart,” he wrote. “I consider that every of us has an integral half to play and a social duty to group enchancment. Together with volunteering time and assets, we’re dedicated to donating a portion of our proceeds to native organizations and charities that instantly affect and improve the varied lives of Bakersfield and Kern County residents.”
Stefani Dias may be reached at 661-395-7488. Observe her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.
