Moscow Food Co-op Business Partner Profile

by Jill Maxwell, from the March 2005 newsletter

Change is in the air at Wild Women Traders. As of March 1, Julie Kerr will take over sole ownership of the eclectic clothing store on Main Street. She will be buying out her partner Sandy Russell, with whom she began the business six years ago.

Kerr says that customers won’t see dramatic changes in the store, but she is looking forward to taking the business in some new directions. For example, she has recently added a “new baby” section with clothing and other items for newborns. The new section has been a big success.

“It’s one of the main things that’s carrying the store,” says Kerr. She also plans to offer more gifts. “Even when times are hard, people will still buy gifts for loved ones, even when they might not buy clothes for themselves.”

However, Wild Women Traders will still carry most of the clothing, hats, books and other merchandise it has sold in the past. Kerr describes her merchandise as beautiful, feminine, and strong-woman things that invoke a woman’s spirit.

Kerr’s philosophy towards her business is that it’s not just about making money.

“I don’t look at everything as pure business,” she explains. “I look at everything I do as creating something that’s really beautiful. I like that I can create this beautiful magic in the store.” She adds that even after six years people still come into the store and comment on the store’s beauty and its comfortable atmosphere.

The store reflects Kerr’s philosophy. Everything is beautifully laid out. Although there are discrete sections, they flow into each other seamlessly. There is an Asian section with tea sets, embroidered pillows, and kimonos; the baby section with bibs, stuffed animals, blankets and clothes; the gift section; and lots of clothes, lotions, hats, and jewelry. Sprinkled throughout are colorful, witty, light-hearted books—many of which have a Wild Woman theme of their own.

Kerr got into retail 22 years ago.

“I never thought I’d have my own store,” she recalls. “It didn’t start out that way.” She moved to Moscow 17 years ago to work at Maurice's. After that, she managed the Old Mole in Pullman before opening Wild Women Traders in 1999. She’s excited by the new challenge of running the store herself. “I look forward to taking the store in some new directions, and having it be mine,” she says.

One aspect of the business that she particularly enjoys is going buying trips when she gets to select merchandise for the upcoming season. She goes to market shows in Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Francisco to select items for Moscow’s shoppers. In February she had just returned from two markets where she selected some new inventory for spring. She says new spring merchandise will be coming into the store every day now through the end of April. In early March, she will hit the road again to attend a show in Las Vegas to buy clothes for the fall. While she’s away, the store will be run by Gail Taber, Kerr’s full-time staff person.

Kerr values Moscow and the Co-op, which is one of the reasons she’s a Co-op business partner. She particularly likes to support local artisans and is a regular participant in Moscow’s Artwalk. She’s happy to be able to give something back to the community.

“This is a beautiful town,” she adds. “I wasn’t raised here, I chose to be here.”

Wild Women Traders is located at 210 S. Main in Moscow and open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Co-op members get 10% off regularly priced jewelry and clothing.

Jill Maxwell aspires to be a true Wild Woman someday.

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