I’m the Manager of That Specialty Store and Even I Don’t Know How We’re Still in Business

It’s one of life’s great mysteries

Stephanie D. Rondeau
Jane Austen’s Wastebasket

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Image licensed in Canva, edited by author

Hiya, gang! Marty here, from the Gingham Wing-Backed Chairs Emporium.

I keep hearing a lot of chatter about how folks aren’t sure how we’re still in business, what with only selling gingham wing-backed chairs and all. And do you know what? Your guess is as good as mine!

You’d think a store that only sells uncomfortable, egregiously overpriced chairs would only cater to a tiny clientele. There’s no way there are enough people in a 50-mile radius who have a need for such a chair (or want, let’s be honest).

I had the same concerns when I inherited this store from my father and his father before him. Yet here we are, the third generation of sellers of niche furniture. And have you ever sat in one of our chairs? They’re horrendous! The gingham, along with being a complete eyesore and not matching any decor known to man, is itchier than a mutt with fleas.

Seriously, I tried to sit on one once as a kid and ended up with a rash for a week. Never made that mistake again.

So who buys our chairs, anyway? I’m not sure! I’ve never had a single customer enter this place. Unless you count the gentleman who stumbled in one…

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Stephanie D. Rondeau
Jane Austen’s Wastebasket

MS, ATC, CSCS. Kidlit author and editor, query liaison. Mostly writes about writing, health and wellness, feminism, and parenting. Occasionally funny.