Anything But Bland Designs

We aren’t open on Mondays so I can do important things like restock Pede Brothers so it’s ready for you tomorrow!

Good Morning! We’re open from 11-6pm today! I’m featuring more home decor today. makes all of the textiles you need for your table scape! Stop in for placemats, a table runner, coasters or even a mug cozy!

Tom started putting together the island that he’s building for the store. He’s using 150+ year old beams from a building in downtown Schenectady! When we renovated the Warehouse in 2021, the majority of the character was lost on the first floor. Pieces like this help to add it back in 🤍 we can’t wait to fill this island with beautiful locally made and found products for our customers to enjoy!

ATTENTION Local Makers & Artists! Schenectady Trading Co. is looking to add vendors to our NEW space on North Center St.

If you are a local maker or know someone who is interested in having items in STC, message Ali on Instagram or Facebook

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas 🎄

My mom has been hand making cards for years. And for years, they’ve been piling up in a dresser in her house! But now, she’s finally selling them at

https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/schenectady-trading-company-new-owners-18477635.php

New owners keep Schenectady Trading Company open Ali and Tom Bland of Anything But Bland Designs are taking over the mercantile shop, which announced its closing in September.

As we take this holiday to reflect on what we are thankful for this year, so much comes to mind. We are blessed by the overwhelming grace that God has had over us as a family and a business. Although overly grateful for the direction we are headed there is no denying without the involvement, support of others, we would not be sitting here excited for what’s to come. Simply put, we can not do this life alone. We’ve been supported in many ways this year by our families and friends. They’ve showed up when we needed it most. Watching our children so that we could work, offering counseling, advice and encouragement to get to where we are. We’ve also been encouraged and supported by other local entrepreneurs, our partners and all of our faithful customers. This is just a small list of the people that god has put in our path to carry out his plans and for that we are so very Thankful! Happy Thanksgiving

Come visit Jules, Caroline & Ali at The Schenectady Trading Company this week! We’re continuing to restock so stop by to see what’s new!

Kicking off another week bringing in more inventory down at the store and things are coming together nicely! For anyone who didn't see the announcement, Ali and Tom Bland of Anything But Bland Designs will be buying the business from me and we'll be working together to run the store through the holidays. Ali has been great to work with as we shift fixtures and product displays around to prepare for shoppers and has received a warm welcome from appreciative customers who are delighted to see the store continue.

Some highlights on grocery items that are back in stock include:

-Maple Syrup from Slate Valley Farm
-Nally Honey
-Lavender Lemonade from Slate Valley Farm
-Nani's Iced Tea
-Gatherer's Granola
-Grain-Free Pretzels and Potato Chips
-NY Sweeties candied jalapenos
-Hudson Harvest green hot sauce
-Gourmet Cheddar Cheese from Adirondack Cheese
-Jam from The Hungry Chicken Country Store
-Bread from Our Daily Bread and Gluten Free Bakery (frozen)

Lots more on its way and picking up a few things this morning before we open and I will continue to share about what comes in. Current hours are Tues/Wed/Fri 11-6, Thurs 11-7 and Sat 11-5.

We’re so excited to finally be able to share this news!

I have incredible news, so please read and share widely!

The smiling faces you see here are Tom and Ali Bland, the future owners of The Schenectady Trading Company and the entrepreneurs who answered my call to carry the brand forward. Since discovering the pair on Instagram in 2018, I've watched them build their vision piece by piece, navigating obstacles along the way with creativity and grace. Our paths have intersected multiple times, at The Clinton Street Mercantile, Electric City Barn, and then STC, where I sell the cutting boards he makes with SEAT Center students.

Tom, a talented woodworker from Schoharie, and Ali, a Home and Landscape Designer from Duanesburg, are college sweethearts that chose Schenectady to plant roots. Through their business, Anything But Bland Designs, they've invested considerable time, energy, and money into improvement projects over the last decade, all while raising their sweet girls. Not only did they restore their former Victorian house on Parkwood, they converted a warehouse on N. Center St into a mixed-use building at the height of COVID! Project #3, the rehab of a building adjacent to the warehouse, is in the works. With teamwork, out-of-the-box thinking, heartfelt prayer, and a whole lot of sweat equity, they have produced much good fruit from their labors and plenty of custom work.

So what does this mean?

1) The store will NOT be closing and will be open for the holidays! They'll get a crash course in running the store with me still at the helm and the opportunity to engage with customers during peak season.

2) I will be restocking a variety of products over the coming weeks, particularly food items, and bringing in more handcrafted local inventory to be prepared for holiday shoppers. This includes more of Tom's woodworking along with new handmade merchandise from Ali. I'm particularly excited about some baby gift items she is working on!

For me, this experience has been a testament to God's timing, grace, and provision and a lesson in surrendering. This business was an answer to my own prayers, but the idea that it could be an answer to someone else's prayers now is deeply gratifying.

Photo credit .gazdik

It’s almost November! In Small Business, retail world, this means our busiest time of the year is coming. We’re in the shop this week making products for your holiday gifting!

It’s been a while since I’ve made a bunny ear teether but thankfully my muscle memory is coming back!

Big things are happening on North Center Street!

If you’ve followed along for a while, you know that the warehouse has flooded multiple times since we purchased it in January 2020. Since then, we’ve made sure to say something to anyone from the City who would listen! Eventually, we talked to the right person and they made sure it would get fixed. The time has FINALLY come and as much of a pain as it will be for the next few weeks, this is the most beautiful sight I’ve seen out of this door! We’re so thankful to everyone who’s making this happen!!

We’re enjoying some much needed time away 🌊

Happy Easter, everyone! He is risen 🤍

Anything But Bland Designs on Instagram: "To the one who made us parents. How are you 8 today? You’re so creative, funny and caring. You’re the best biggest sister we could all ever hope for. We love you, Elle" 10 Likes, 0 Comments - Anything But Bland Designs () on Instagram: "To the one who made us parents. How are you 8 today? You’re so creative, funny and caring. You�..."

CALLING ALL LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS🎁

We’ve got with cutting boards in stock and ready to go! 🌟 We’ll be putting all the available boards in our stories.

You can also message us for more details on pricing and availability

Shop Small Business Saturday with SEAT! Our SEAT Works products are handcrafted with love by a young person to whom life hasn’t always been so kind. Your purchase helps our young people realize that despite adversity, there is indeed purpose for their lives. Our SEAT Works products are made with love by our students and graduates, and are crafted in partnership with Anything But Bland Designs, our manufacturing partner.

Purchase yours today >>> www.seatcenter.org/seatSHOP

Have you ever heard of a noodle board? It allows you to use your stove top as a work surface or serving area. (We don’t necessarily need one for our smooth top, but they’re awesome for a gas range!)
Tom made this black walnut board as a very special birthday gift last month

Happy Birthday to our favorite person

You’re the best Dad, Husband, Friend & Partner we could ask for 🤍

Juliette Paige Bland finally made her appearance on September 22nd at 7:33 pm🤍

Tom almost had to deliver her all by himself because her entrance was so fast and furious!

We already love you so much, Jules

First day of school & first day that both of them are riding the bus!

We have just a few more weeks until we’re a family of 5. This week, we finished her nursery (half of our walk in closet) and I couldn’t be more in love with this little space. So many meaningful pieces fill this room and are waiting to welcome our little girl home 🤍

Shipping is OFFICIALLY LIVE on our website!

ANYTHING BUT BLAND DESIGNS Hand crafted furniture built from reclaimed wood. Interior design, landscape design, home restoration design

Over the past month and a half, Tom has been working with our students. We’re excited to announce that you can now purchase these beautifully crafted boards on our website (for pickup at ABBDESIGNS on N Center St) some styles do have limited quantities so feel free to reach out with questions!

www.abblanddesigns.com

This month Tom started teaching manufacturing through woodworking to students from
🪚The work they have put into these cutting boards & charcuterie boards is amazing to watch. I can’t wait to see all of the students continue to grow in the program.

Check them out here⬇️
www.abblanddesigns.com

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mommas out there! Our last as a family of 4!

We’re getting close to the finish line with this apartment renovation. We’re loving the pattern that did where we took a closet out to connect these two rooms.

What do you think? 🤗

Number 3 is coming in September 🎀