About Us

Where vintage pieces—and their stories—bloom again.

The Conservatory began with a simple idea: that objects from the past hold more than beauty—they had meaning to all those who held onto them before us. 

Before The Conservatory, I started a care package company for grief and loss called Beyond Words Co. As part of those gifts, I loved the idea of including heirloom-style coffee mugs and glassware to accompany teas and coffees—small comforts intended to be sipped slowly in a calm moment. 

I began shopping at thrift stores to find these items, drawn to the shelves of forgotten pieces that felt special but overlooked. Many needed just a little cleaning or care to be beautiful again. I started decorating my home with them, finding joy in giving new life to the old and the discarded.

That love grew into something more.

Through Facebook Marketplace, I started sourcing vintage items more intentionally. But what surprised me was the emotional connection behind each exchange. Many families I met were selling pieces from a loved one who had passed, or they were downsizing their own belongings.

Grief lived quietly in those moments—spoken or unspoken, tears often present and many hugs were exchanged. It was clear that while people needed to part with these objects, it wasn't always easy.

That’s when The Conservatory truly took root.

First came a yard sale at my home. Then a pop-up on Grand Ave.. And now, our own permanent home on Grand Ave. in charming St. Paul that has history of 100+ years on the avenue. My son, fiancé and family have put in a lot of elbow grease (sometimes tears from me!) as we restored this foreclosed home that is now The Conservatory. It's now a special place to send beloved items to a new chapter. 

Here, we do more than sell vintage home goods—we honor them. Whenever possible, we collect the stories behind each piece: who owned it, why it mattered, and what has made it worth keeping. Oh the generations of stories! It's brought such joy. 

We share those histories with our customers, offering not just a beautiful object, but a legacy to carry forward.

Whether you’re shopping for a new treasure or looking to pass along a piece of your own story, we’re here to help it bloom again.

Warmly, Catherine