Ypsilanti’s LookInTheAttic hires 2, looking for interns

LookInTheAttic is a small miracle in downtown Ypsilanti. Small because it’s a small-but-growing business in the city’s center; miracle because it’s a small-but-growing business that is firmly rooted in the housing sector.The store specializes in selling antique reproduction hardware and housewares both at its storefront and online where most of its sales (about 85 percent) are made. It also owns and operates Silver & Gold, an online jewelry store. “Our sales are solid,” says John Coleman, president of LookInTheAttic. “This July will be our best July ever.”The 13-year-old company has been able to hire two people over the last year, expanding its staff to 11, with three independent contractors. It’s also looking for a few good interns. LookInTheAttic achieved this growth by continuing to expand its product base and finding smarter, leaner ways to manufacture those products. For instance, it found that the same brass plate can be used to create four different products, such as a push plate or a door knob. Coleman credits this mass customization idea to the likes of Dell Computers.”It works a lot of different ways,” Coleman says. “By doing it smartly like that we can reduce our inventory and use that to grow.”LookInTheAttic expects to continue to experience 10 percent revenue growth over the next few years. That should allow it to add another employee or two within the next year.Source: John Coleman, president of LookInTheAtticWriter: Jon Zemke