In 2019, Preservation Station owners Jennifer Higdon and her mom Deborah Coomes were considering selling the business they opened in 2013. Three years later, that’s no longer the case.
Mandated closures due to the pandemic actually helped them make their decision, Higdon said. Prior to the pandemic, Preservation Station had been open 6 days a week. The 1.5-month shutdown gave them perspective and changed their mindset.
“When we were allowed to reopen, we opened four days a week,” Higdon said. “It gave us a better work-life balance.”
With her three children growing up, Higdon wanted to be with them more, but she said it has been a “big shift” to go to four days.
In the past two years, they have brought in a solid pine furniture line, which Higdon said has been a huge success. The line fits with the shabby chic and coastal feel of the market’s items chosen by Higdon.
Higdon’s daughters recently went to market with her, and she said this experience allowed her to pick some lines she had not considered before at their recommendation. She also added another furniture line and new wall art.
“Sales have been really good and now, with 9 years of experience, I know what to buy,” she said.
Higdon’s items are not the only ones for sale, as all 50 booths are rented and filled with a variety of items including antiques, home decor, boutique clothing and jewelry and collectible items.
“Some of the vendors have been here since day one,” Higdon said.
The former West Louisville Elementary School boasts over 40,000 square feet that Higdon and her family have painstakingly remodeled. In 2017 they added a 100-seat restaurant and an event area in the former gymnasium that is available for rentals.
Currently, they are in the process of redesigning their event rental brochure. They already have a Junior League dinner event, a couple of weddings and a class reunion on the schedule.
Higdon has cut back on Market Days, which are events that include live music, more vendors and food.
The first Market Day will be March 12, and it will be one day instead of a weekend-long event. The other Market Days will be July 9, Sept. 10 and Nov. 12.
A new head cook has been hired due to the unexpected death of the previous head cook who had been with Preservation Station for several years.
“Our new cook hopes to bring new flavors and talent to the restaurant. She likes to make most everything from scratch,” Higdon said.
Made-to-order lunch is served Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and their buffet is back on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Preservation Station has been ranked No. 2 on TripAdvisor’s Things to Do in Owensboro, but Higdon would love to see it reach even more fame.
“I would love for it to be famous like the Whistle Stop Cafe,” she said.
The southern-inspired menus and business hours are available on their Facebook page.
