Is What It Is specializes in crafts, antiques

     Another new store has opened its doors in downtown Monticello.

     Is What It Is, owned and managed by Buck Covington and Shawna Bechthold, opened in mid-December in the former Above & Beyond office space, across from the Post Office.

     Is What It Is offers customers a mixture of antiques and craft items. Bechthold said her vision for the business was a place for people to visit locally rather than leave town to hit up a craft show or flea market.

     “We just urge people to come here,” she said.

     Their first concept for the store was to offer consignment items, but Covinton said he did not want to compete with the two consignment stores already in business downtown.

     Before the place could even open, a lot of interior remodeling work needed to be done. This set the target opening date back a few weeks. Bechthold said they were hoping to be open well before the Christmas holiday.

     “We just had so much work to do,” she said.

     Covington said the full wall separating the two sides of the building was turned into a half wall to open the space up.

     “We spent a lot of late night hours in here,” commented Covington. Work began Oct. 1, with many of Covington and Bechthold’s friends and family members pitching in.

     “It’s good to see the windows full again,” said Bechthold of the décor in the shop’s windows, letting the public know to stop in and check the place out.

     One side of Is What It Is offers craft vendors space to rent on a monthly basis to sell and show off their wares. The other side can be rented out to antique dealers.

     “My family has been in the antique business forever,” said Covington. “My grandfather was a big collector.”

     Bechthold said her interest in crafts and homemade goods added to the business model.

     “I insisted on bringing in crafts,” she said.

     “And I’m glad she did,” added Covington.

     They have room for up to 12 vendors/booths, with many more in the showroom side.

     One thing Is What It Is does not sell is clothing, unless, Covington said, it’s a specialty item like screen-printed t-shirts.

     “We are not a garage sale,” Bechthold pointed out.

     They welcome interest from area crafters who make and sell painted items, woodwork, crochet pieces, and more.

     Both crafters and antique dealers rent the space on a monthly basis, with a certain percentage of the commission going to Is What It Is.

     “The items for sale will be different from month to month,” explained Bechthold depending on who’s renting space. “We have quite a few locals here already with booths.”

     Bechthold said they do not allow consultants to rent space, those selling for companies such as Pink Zebra, Avon or Thirty-One.

     Those selling antiques are asked to price their items before bringing them in to sell. Is What It Is keeps an inventory list of what’s in stock.

     Is What It Is is located at 118 N. Cedar St. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Mondays.

     Contact them at 319-844-1060 if interested in renting space.