Belleville business remodels for more space, more merch and more good JuJu
Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market owner Christine Blanquart temporarily closed her shop earlier this month, taking a six-day “work staycation” to rearrange the store.
“I wanted to do this before Art on the Square,” Blanquart said of the recent changes. Timing was an issue, though, so she bumped her plans to Fourth of July weekend.
Reopening on Thursday, July 10, she spent the day enjoying the comments and compliments from customers and vendors alike.
“I wanted to keep all of the original character of the building,” she said. “[Now] it’s exactly how I [always] wanted it.”
The changes were so hush-hush that even her vendors weren’t allowed inside to see the shop until reopening day. Vendor and staff member Megan Nail’s reaction included a literal jaw drop and verbal response that isn’t fit to print.
“I had a good team of people [to help with the remodel]. Both of my sons helped, [and] my husband,” said Blanquart.
The Rusty Gem has the same great charm it always did, but the changes still make a huge difference.
The cash stand, previously in the middle of the space, was moved to the back of the store. From there, Blanquart and her staff now are able to see guests entering from both the main entrance and from the entryway that joins the Rusty Gem with Halo Boutique, located in the adjoining building.
There’s also room for more than one person to work behind the counter at the same time, Blanquart explained. That means more room to assist customers, ring up sales, wrap purchases, and for JuJu, the shop’s English bulldog, to stretch her legs.
Moving the cash stand makes the rest of the shop’s space seem much larger and provides more space for shoppers to move around and peruse the goods.
They moved the cash stand first. From there, it was a domino effect, said Blanquart, who added multiple displays and filled spaces with larger items.
One new display – JuJu’s boutique – features dog-themed merchandise and is set up along the back wall next to the cash stand. This new addition includes a selection of dog statuettes, signage, jewelry and other pup-themed goodies.
Items specifically for dogs include handmade and upcycled bandanas by Ragz and Relics and fresh-baked dog treats from Sugar High. Pup parents can check out the Sniff Candles, in which a portion of the sales benefit Champ Assistance Dogs and no-kill shelters.
Coming soon is Combat Chow, an all-natural dog treat line that donates $1 of every purchase to Dogs2DogTags, which supports veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
My favorite part of the area is JuJu’s personal space within the display that she can enter from behind the cash stand to visit with guests. There’s even a neon sign with “JuJu Baby” in pink lights.
This girl has her own boutique and a neon light? I’m rather envious – I’d love to see my name in lights.
Still, even a week after reopening, the shop is always a work in progress. Blanquart is known for continuously putting together displays and making room for new merchandise as other items are sold.
Another display in progress features canned goods from Galena Canning Company. Blanquart said the display’s launch coincided with Belleville’s Pickle Palooza on July 19. The hope was that the goods on hand didn’t sell out before the event. Even if they did, Galena’s goods are now available all year long.
Seeing all of the people coming in and hearing their positive feedback, “that’s the reward” that makes it worthwhile, she said.
About Blanquart’s Rusty Gem Vintage Market
Blanquart’s Rusty Gem is located at 26 E. Main St. in Belleville. Current hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m .to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about the business, as well as upcoming events, visit the Facebook page.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
