Abigail Autrey, a 17-year-old senior from Wimberley High School, is the entrepreneur behind Memory Lane, a retail boutique selling vintage- inspired items on the Square in Wimberley.
“I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to learn how to run a business,” Autrey said. “When this property became available, my parents and I discussed how we could make this a hands-on, real-life experience of working a business as an alternative to me automatically pursuing a four-year, university degree.”
For her, Autrey said, immediately getting out into the world seemed like the best fit.
“I’ve always been a hands-on learner,” she explained. “I learn from doing rather than from seeing or reading and there’s only so much you can learn from books. Numbers and theories only offer one part of the picture and none of the nuances.”
It was Autrey’s idea to offer products that are “retro” in nature.
“After the popularity of the television series ‘Stranger Things,’ I wanted to explore how much interest shoppers had for these kinds of items,” she explained. “All the items I sell are new, but they’re a modern take on vintage things.”
Most of her customers, she said, “. . . are a mix of people, from teens to GenX and Millennial shoppers.”
While themed around the “retro,” Memory Lane sells a variety of clothing, jewelry, collectibles, candles, bath products and hobby kits.
“Once I knew what I wanted to sell, I began sourcing merchandise and doing a partial renovation,” Autrey continued. “This was a storage space at one time, so it needed some work to get it ready. It’s really fascinating to see how the smallest details can make an impact.”
More than anything, Autrey said she leans on the experience of her parents who guide her.
“My father is an accountant and I’m learning about finances and how the flow of money behaves from him. My mother owns My Happy Place, a boutique also on the Square in Wimberley,” Autrey explained. “At this time, they pay for my merchandise and the rent on the space.”
“The money I make in sales is being driven back into the business so that I can work toward standing alone financially,” Autrey added. “I’m learning to balance the income with the outflow. The business is on track to stand alone by late summer or early fall [this year].”
Mother Alicia Autrey had this to say about her daughter.
“This is the best kid in the world,” Alicia said. “I believe she was born an adult. While she is a happygo- lucky person, she is also driven and ready to conquer.”
Other family members are involved in the enterprise. Sibling Autumn, 21, painted the store’s sign from a design created by her mother. A working artist, Autumn is also the manager of My Happy Place.
When asked what the hardest part of running a business is, young Autrey replied, “My biggest constraint is time. While money is certainly a constraint, balancing time with other responsibilities is a challenge. I’ve learned to focus on school matters while in school and to focus on the business on weekends.”
Memory Lane is open Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
As for the future, Autrey had this to say: “My dream is to have a tea and coffee house. I have always connected with people and it’s important to me that my customers have a really nice experience and that’s what I want to offer, either in my current business or a future one.”
Memory Lane is located next to Papa Hoo’s at 100 Oak Drive, Suite B, on the Square. For additional information, visit her Instagram account: @memorylaneboutiquewimberley.
