STAFF NOTE: Our Stories from Second-Hand Finds & My Case for the Denim Chair
who would have thought 'the jair' would be so comfortable and enduring?
words & photos by Evelyn Nelson
Many people I know cherish a particular second-hand find or hand-me-down that they simply can't let go of. That item, for me, is a former denim sectional that has since served as a loveseat in my various Eau Claire residences.
One summer day, while furnishing my first studio apartment, I stumbled upon the denim chair — or as my friends humorously dubbed it, “the jair” — at the Hope Gospel Mission Center (2650 Mercantile Dr.) in Eau Claire. It was an instant must-have, and has continued to generate conversation and laughter for all who have experienced its comfort.
Who knows what stories or butts have sat in this chair, prior to my purchase almost four years ago? The world of second-hand and vintage memorabilia will forever be stocked full of nostalgia and narratives, connecting individuals to their belongings.
This issue's Vintage Wares section (flip to page 34 in print, or browse online) brings together contributors, vintage resellers, and local legends to explore the ephemera and unexpected potential of our city’s past relics. These stories have brought me back to the miraculous day I found my favorite piece of furniture.
This may serve as my personal endorsement for owning a "jair," but more than that, it's an open invitation to explore the vintage and second-hand finds available in the Chippewa Valley's storefronts and personal archives.
Dive in, ask questions, and bring home your forever treasures!
Peruse through this year's Vintage Wares — sponsored by Hope Gospel Mission — online, or pick up the latest Volume One in a newstand near you in the Chippewa Valley.
