Emily Christensen fs '07 has opened a new home furnishings store in Wichita called Frank & Margaret, so named in honor of her grandparents.
Featuring an eclectic collection of art deco, folk art, styles from the 1940s and ’50s, and Bauhaus-inspired items, the store is at the corner of Oliver and Douglas — and for the 29-year-old Christensen, it represents a calling from the heart.
Christensen’s educational background is not in business or design, but English. “I’m not a designer, but I do have the ability to pick out cool things, and I have a good eye for color,” she says.
After working for months on a business plan, she opened her store the day after Thanksgiving. So far, the reception has been positive.
Employee Michael Webber says customers like the collection of unusual items. “It’s all about blending the old and the new and creating a unique style,” he says.
Although Wichita can be a traditional market in home furnishings, there’s also room for a store with, as Christensen puts it, “offbeat chic.”
