Marsha Rish

Owner: Honeymoon Bungalow
&
Time Warp Boutique

Honeymoon Bungalow
3153 Government Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
225-343-4622

Time Warp Boutique
3001 Government Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
225-377-8550

"Everything has value; everything can be resold. You just have to find the person who wants it."

Marsha Rish, wearing vintage dress and accessories, stands among vintage items in her store.

Honeymoon Bungalow and Time Warp Boutique are the only vintage shops in Baton Rouge; other stores may have some vintage items. But Marsha Rish specializes in vintage, which means items in her stores are dated as mid-century, i.e. 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. When Rish and her husband decided to go into the antique business full time, they wanted a way to make the business unique so they decided to specialize in vintage items--furniture, housewares, decorative lighting and more.

Rish always wanted to own her own shop; even as a child she liked to play store. Her interest in the vintage business grew out of a hobby. At one time she rented a booth in Denham Springs, which did not work out because of the distance. Also “vintage did not sell well there.” Honeymoon Bungalow opened in 1998. Her husband came up with the name partly because people always say they still act like honeymooners. It seemed historically appropriate for two reasons: the bungalow is an architectural style from the early twentieth century arts and crafts movement and also small cottage motels often advertised themselves as 'honeymoon bungalows' to attract the wedding trade in the forties and fifties.

"Honeymoon Bungalow represents the whole of a couple's life together, the items they've accumulated over the years, the things they saved for, the things they splurged on, the things they love." The store is a vintage department store -- furniture displayed in one area; kitchen items, another; and a separate room for the “library." Rish loves books and only carries hardbacks at the store. She likes to read non-fiction, science, history and vintage comedy like James Thurber.

Time Warp started as six dresses in an armoire in Honeymoon Bungalow. The vintage clothes proved to be very popular and the customer base grew rapidly. In 2006 the store spun off to its own building, and now ninety percent of the stock is vintage clothing from the 20’s through the 80’s. Rish observes, "people buy more clothes than furniture." And they follow fashion trends, so "if plaid is in at the department store, we carry vintage plaid." Time Warp also carries vinyl records, turntables, bar and smoking collectibles, art works and gifts.

The customer base for both stores is broad, though mostly under-thirties gravitate toward the fashion boutique. Rish describes her customers as "blue-hair high school students to blue-hair grannies." Customers from New Orleans, who discovered the shop after Katrina drove them to Baton Rouge, continue to shop with her even after they've gone back home. People from the Mississippi Gulf Coast drive in just to browse through her collections. Hollywood set and costume designers also shop at the stores.

The movie industry found Rish when Behind the Sun (with Billy Bob Thornton) was filmed here. Set designers and buyers came in before the shoot to find set and background items. When Rish was able to locate a still for Behind the Sun, they were so impressed that they recommended her to others coming to film in Baton Rouge. Her stores are now on the Louisiana Film Commission’s list of suggested vendors. "Buyers from Hollywood tell me my items are of better quality and more reasonably priced than what they have found anywhere else."

Rish thinks small businesses are the backbone of the country. "Small businesses provide personal service, higher quality product, reasonable prices, and a work environment that allows employees to develop confidence and self expression." She cites the lack of operating capital, difficulty finding quality inventory in this area, and reaching new customers as the biggest challenges she faced. Her advice to others interested in starting a small business is simple--"Don't waste money on fancy decor or bags with your name on them, just get the door open and do your thing. Keep good records, pay bills by check, and follow the tax laws."

Her quote above comes from personal experience, and she is adamant about recycling used items. "Used and worn items are much loved items. Our theory is: find it, clean it, repair it and pass it on to someone else who'll love it."

Honeymoon Bungalow and Time Warp Boutique are open 12-5 Monday; 11-6 Tuesday-Saturday; 12-4 Sunday.

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