Today we’d like to introduce you to Vickie Rehrer.
Hi Vickie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Martin’s Memories began as a vision to preserve history while creating opportunity. I took on a 133-year-old warehouse in the West Bottoms and transformed it, floor by floor, into a multi-level vintage department store where independent vendors could grow together.
What started as a love for junkin’ quickly became an experience—four floors of shopping and a nostalgic candy shop run by my 92-year-old mother, lovingly known as Nana B. After visiting the candy shop, customers hop aboard Grace, our beloved freight elevator, and begin their journey on the fourth floor, working their way down at their own pace.
Along the way, we host private parties, monthly pop-up events for local makers, and soon, a ghostly adventure through our haunted historic building.
Despite challenges along the way, the goal has always remained the same: to create a space that supports small businesses and brings people back to the joy of experiencing “Where the Past is Present” through unique vintage and vintage-inspired finds.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No—it hasn’t been smooth, and there were moments when it would have been easier to walk away. Taking on a 133-year-old warehouse means constant repairs, unexpected expenses, and learning as you go. Add construction disruptions, economic uncertainty, and the realities of supporting dozens of small vendors, and it can feel overwhelming at times.
There were seasons of exhaustion, financial stress, and tough decisions—many of them physical—but the challenges never stopped the vision. Along the way, I’ve learned more about electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and other trades than I could have learned in a lifetime.
But this environment, and preserving pieces of our heritage, is a little addictive—if you don’t mind getting a bit of dirt on you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At its core, my work is about creating experiences, not just retail. I own and operate Martin’s Memories, a multi-level vintage department store housed in a 133-year-old warehouse in the West Bottoms. I specialize in curating a space where independent vendors, collectors, and makers can thrive together while preserving the character and history of the building itself.
We’re known for four floors of discovery—everything from true vintage and antiques to vintage-inspired goods, handmade items, and nostalgic finds—along with Nana B’s Candy Shop, which has become a destination in its own right. Visitors don’t just shop; they explore, ride our freight elevator, uncover stories, and take their time.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Dozens of small businesses have grown under our roof, many gaining confidence, consistency, and visibility they wouldn’t have had on their own. I’m also proud of preserving a historic space in a way that keeps it alive and accessible, rather than turning it into something polished but disconnected from its past.
What sets Martin’s Memories apart is that it’s deeply hands-on and deeply personal. This isn’t a passive marketplace—I’m involved in every floor, every creative staging, every detail. It’s gritty, pushes your creativity, and is always evolving. People don’t come here to buy things; they come to feel something—and that’s what keeps them coming back.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up on a farm, and that environment shaped everything about me. I was a leader and a helper when I had the space to be, but I also loved being alone. I cared for animals, participated in rodeos, and spent a lot of time reading, fishing, and wandering the woods. My horse was my constant—and honestly, my safest place.
I had to grow up fast due to family circumstances, which made me independent early. I learned responsibility by doing, not by talking about it. I’ve always been drawn to old things, fixing what’s broken, building with my hands, organizing, and creating order out of chaos.
When I look at my life now, it’s a direct extension of that childhood. I’m still doing the same things—just on a bigger scale. I take care of a space, I protect what matters, and I build something lasting for others. I’m still learning every day, but I’ve always known how to work, how to lead quietly, and how to stand on my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.martinsmemorieskc.com
- Instagram: @martinsmemorieskc
- Facebook: www.facebook/martinsmemorieskc
