Vintage finds, hand-poured candles, and a vision for downtown Owensboro are filling a new space for Kate & Waverly as the business settles into its recently relocated home.
Owner Kate Mazariegos said the move marks more than just a change of address — it represents years of dreaming, designing, and building toward a permanent place downtown.
Kate & Waverly, a vintage and antique shop combined with interior design services, recently moved into a larger downtown location after first opening on St. Elizabeth Street in 2023. Mazariegos said the decision to move came from wanting a long-term home that offered room to grow creatively and financially.
“I knew from the beginning I didn’t want to lease long term,” Mazariegos said. “Owning a building is a better financial decision, especially long term.”
The building also gave Mazariegos and her father — now business partners — the opportunity to expand beyond retail. The second floor has been transformed into an Airbnb called “The Guesthouse at Kate & Waverly,” while basement renovations are underway for future workshops and pop-up events.
Mazariegos said the new location reflects the same design philosophy that inspired the business from the beginning: blending history with modern life.
“It is old mixed with new,” she said. “The richness that history can add to our lives cannot be ignored.”
Inside the shop, customers can find vintage furniture, antiques, books, candles, gifts, and children’s items. All of the candles are hand-poured into vintage containers like brass boxes, gravy bowls and cut-glass jars that can later be refilled.
Mazariegos said her love for interiors started early. Growing up, she helped her carpenter father renovate homes while her mother handled decorating and finishes. She later became a teacher before deciding to pursue interior design full-time after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My mom passed away from cancer in 2016, less than a year after her diagnosis, and life felt a lot more fragile,” Mazariegos said. “I started to really consider quitting and taking up interior design.”
The business has also expanded online, offering shipping, local porch delivery, and store pickup through its website. Mazariegos said the online shop helps make vintage shopping more accessible for busy customers.
Downtown Owensboro has always been central to Mazariegos’s vision for the business. She said she hopes Kate & Waverly can help contribute to a stronger sense of community in the area year-round.
“There’s something so charming in the old buildings and the walkability of it all,” she said. “I am very passionate about being a piece of the puzzle to developing our downtown.”
Looking ahead, Mazariegos plans to open “The Library,” a design center inside the building that will feature wallpaper, fabric, tile, and flooring samples along with both new and vintage design books. The space will host consultations and allow clients to plan projects in a more hands-on environment.
While the shop continues to evolve, Mazariegos said she hopes customers feel welcomed when they walk through the doors.
“We love getting to know everyone who comes in, regardless if they buy something or not,” she said.
Kate & Waverly is located at 324 St. Ann St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
