Couple moves from vintage to antique

Lance Jensen and Nessa Davis, the owners of Finders Keepers, have found a new home on Main Street in Cathlamet.

They haven’t been there long, but they’ve already realized that the move from their former location on the highway has already quadrupled foot traffic, which is good news for them.

Jensen, who used to drive a taxi, is originally from Medford, Ore., but moved to Wahkiakum County about eight years ago.

“I was looking to get out of Longview, actually,” he said. “This felt more like home. It was quieter.”

Davis is originally from Seattle and was living in Longview when she met Jensen through a competitive karaoke league.

“I ended up on a team with him,” Davis smiled. They’ve been together ever since, and are now coaches of their own karaoke team.

They started the shop together in January.

“I just got a wild hair one day,” Jensen said. “It was a thrift store when we took it over, but I pushed the things from the thrift side out and went more toward the vintage, antique, shabby chic, and collectible. We’re finding out a lot of folks in the area really like this vintage, antique a lot. And I’m remembering how much I used to like the old stuff.”

The pair have been learning as they go. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and Jensen was constantly in motion, moving items around until they found a place that suited him.

Davis is focusing on restoring and upcycling, while Jensen has been researching and learning about antiques.

“A lot of my learning has been from Pinterest or watching videos on the internet. I just kind of have a hand for it,” Davis said.

Until recently, Davis had been managing a motel, but she is excited about spending more time on this new adventure.

“She smiles more,” Jensen said.

They’ve purchased a lot of the items in the store themselves, but some of the inventory is being sold on consignment.

“The goal is not to try and get rich, but to have a shop people actually want to come into,” Jensen said. “Our long term goals include keeping prices down where people can afford them. That’s important to us. And I would like to keep the store so one day our girls can be here.”

Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10-5. Check out their Facebook page, Finders Keepers.