The Mustard Seed Reinvents Shopping Experience for Oxonians

From stay-at-home mom to Oxford business owner, Kimberly Bumgardner has reinvented the shopping experience for Oxonians with The Mustard Seed Antique Emporium.

Before becoming a business owner, Bumgardner set her own work hours while she raised her children, just like her mother did by working for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Bumgardner appreciated that her mother was able to attend all of her school functions growing up, and she knew she wanted to do the same for her four children.
Bumgardner always had a passion to own her own gift shop in the town in which she was raised. And in July of 2014, the perfect opportunity presented itself.
“When the owner of The Mustard Seed was ready to retire, she called and asked if I would like to buy it,” Bumgardner said. “We jumped on the opportunity and haven’t looked back.”
Since buying The Mustard Seed, Bumgardner has faced unexpected challenges. When she originally bought the store, it was located in a shopping center on University Ave. where she was renting the space. Now, she owns the building that houses The Mustard Seed across town on Jackson Ave.
“Since the day we bought The Mustard Seed, we had been looking for somewhere to buy our own building so we didn’t have to pay rent,” Bumgardner said.
Bumgardner and her husband looked several places before purchasing the building on Jackson Ave. Unfortunately, the deals fell through time and time again.
“I knew God had something out there for us,” Bumgardner said. “We just had to wait for his timing.”
After praying and searching, the prime location on Jackson Ave. became available. As shops, businesses and restaurants continue to fill Jackson Ave., the Bumgardners finally found “the best move.”
Now the couple has flexibility for renovations and upgrades in their new space. 
“One huge advantage of owning our own building is we do not have the stress and worry if we will have to move for reasons beyond our control,” Bumgardner said.
With new ownership and a new location, changes quickly took place at The Mustard Seed.
“We have eliminated the vendors who sometimes use this type of business as warehouse and garage sale purposes,” Bumgardner said. “We have an application process to weed out garage sale items and only offer current appealing product.”
The Mustard Seed has tripled in vendors since the changes took place. Now, the shop boasts 100 vendors for shoppers to choose from.  
“We have a variety [of items], from clothing to house decor and furniture,” Bumgardner said.
In addition to more vendors, The Mustard Seed also offers a little something for the men … a “man cave.”
“We have added an area for the men to sit and watch sports on TV while the women shop,” Bumgardner said.
And if one gets hungry while relaxing in the man cave or shopping, The Mustard Seed has a permanent food truck, Landshark Crawfish.
These are just a few things that The Mustard Seed has to offer for Oxonians who are looking for a one-stop, shop all. Bumgardner still has more ideas in the works that will continue to offer shoppers a different experience than other business in Oxford.

By Talbert Toole, associate editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.