Defined
All Through The House is a store that takes a multi-dimensional approach to the enjoyment of life. It stocks some of the best name brands in kitchen gadgets, small appliances, cutlery and cookware. It also is home to some of the hottest design lines in home décor. Gifting has taken on a new measure also with the store’s corporate gift program and sales of fine wines and liquors.
Divergent Backgrounds Blend
You probably could not have chosen two more unlikely people to have become business partners. Founded in 1997 by Kim Walter and MJ Beckman, All Through The House is the offspring of two friends with completely different professional backgrounds. Kim Walter grew up in retail. She served in various store and corporate roles from operations, to merchandising to buying. MJ Beckman’s marketing background was also varied from hospital public relations to ad agency ownership and management to corporate marketing for a multi-national footwear retailer.
The unlikely pair met up at Famous Footwear in 1989 when Kim joined the company as an assistant buyer for kids’ footwear. The two quickly became good friends even though they represented two opposing views of business.
As luck would have it, a prime storefront opened up in the heart of Stoughton’s Historic Main Street. At that time, there were no other high-end retailers. The two discussed the possibilities and in July 1997, Kim left Famous Footwear to start up All Through The House. Bucking the middle-of-the-road trend of Stoughton shops at that time, the two believed that they could create and enjoy a niche of supplying high end home décor and kitchen goods.
Evolution
When the store first opened in September of 1997, visitors were overheard tagging the new shop as “Stoughton’s Eye Candy”. The two founders knew that although that was a great compliment that the store needed to evolve with a wider assortment of merchandise. To do that, the store needed more physical space. In the late summer/early fall of 1998, the store punched a stairway to a lower level and added a kitchen for cooking classes as well as more space for merchandise. In January, 1999, the store held its first cooking classes and the rest is history. All Through The House had indeed evolved.
Future
As the store continues to add to its merchandise mix, All Through The House sees a bright future. It has an ever-broadening client base and continues to seek ways to enhance the shopping experience. From its highly popular VIP shopper frequency awards program, to its commitment to free wrapping and curbside service, from its attractive selection of cooking classes and instructors to its focus on offering brand name merchandise at fair pricing, All Through The House and its sister company Giggles (kid toys, family games and puzzles, and pretend play and activity items) will continue to offer a unique shopping experience of selection and customer service.
