BOOM! Cover Profile

Nina Kynard, "Vintage Lady"

This month’s cover profile is a woman with the civil service, working much of her reside in Montgomery. Our daughter, who fell in love with a Breweriana career at Gunter AFB. I have two sisters, Kelli and her husband now live in Gulf collector 39 years ago and she’s Shores, Alabama and our son, Craig and been collecting many things his family live in Alpharetta, Georgia. since that fateful day. Nina Our children have blessed us with Kynard owns Kynard Korner’ thirteen grandchildren and seven great Vintage Boutique clothing grandchildren. Most of the grandchildren store located in Eastbrook are in Montgomery. Flea Market, and what a huge collection she has! Her BOOM!: You are the owner of Kynard store is full of great fashions Korner Vintage Boutique, located in the from decades ago along with Eastbrook Flea Market at 425 Coliseum accessories to accent. She Blvd in Montgomery. Please share with carries both men and women our readers how you got involved with fashions for the discriminating selling vintage clothing and accessories? fashionistas out there in the How do you define “Vintage” clothing and River Region, she sees many accessories? customers, especially the younger ladies who know Nina: I have been a collector most of my how to be cool and unique in life. I had a collection of Breyer horses as today’s fashion scene. And a child. As an adult, I collected antiques the prices they offer represent after I was given my grandmother’s treadle great value. Her husband sewing machine. I frequented yard sales Ray collects brewery ads and and thrift stores early on to help save paraphernalia and together money while raising our kids and to look they travel to many parts of for household furniture and antiques. the country seeking new items My husband is and selling others. Collecting is also a collector in the genes and they’ve been sharing this passion since their Nina and husband Ray...House Divided Masking of Breweriana (Brewery ads and first date in Montgomery. We recently Linda Vickrey Wilson and paraphernalia) so sat down with Nina and she shared her Teresa Vickrey. We grew we would hunt story with us, the collecting, her work, up in the Morningview area. together. In 2000, retirement, traveling and of course I attended Morningview I became a vendor the sunsets on Lake Jordan. On second Elementary, Capital Heights in an antique mall thought we should have included her Jr. High and Lee High School and the following husband Ray and shared a few cold graduating in 1970. I had year moved into ones! I hope you enjoy getting to know two early marriages and have Eastbrook Flea Nina as much as we have. a daughter, Susan Deavers Market. I sold and a son, Bobby Mills from furniture and BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, my previous marriages. I collectibles. In i.e. where you’re from, education, what married my husband, Ray 2004, my son brought you to the Montgomery area, Kynard on Valentine’s Day in gave me the did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc? 1981 and we celebrated 39 years this past February. He Nina and Ray enjoying Fitzgerald Gala clothes that belonged to his has three children; a son, Chris Kynard and grandmother who had recently passed Nina: I was born in Montgomery on twins, Kelli McMahon and Craig Kynard. away. She had kept everything all the October 2, 1952. I am the daughter of We became the Brady bunch with the kids way back to the 40’s. I decided sell them Glenn and Myrtle Pugh Vickrey. My being ages 13, 11 and 5 years old. We and discovered that there were people father was the Manager of White Chapel bought our home in Dalraida at the time interested in vintage clothing. I became Funeral Home when it was located on we married and we still live there. All of more interested in the clothing and styles South Jackson Street and my mother was our kids were raised here and three still as more people contacted me looking

for theater costumes and themed parties. Eventually, word of mouth traveled and some costumer designers from movie productions started contacting me to rent or purchase period costumes. I had discovered a niche’ Nina and Ray, celebrating another "Kynard" Christmas and made taxes. It wasn’t until I the transition to vintage clothing within a couple of years. Other vintage started advertising in Boom Magazine and various store owners buy from me and take other venues that people merchandise back to their stores in could find me without just Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. I happening on my Boutique even have one lady that comes once a while visiting Eastbrook. year who has a store in Miami. Joining the Vintage Fashion Guild enabled me to access information and to become part of worldwide organization that wanted to preserve vintage textiles. Generally, any garment or accessory that is 20 years or older is now considered vintage. Items left in areas that are not climate controlled such as attics or garages can mildew and break down the integrity of the fabric. The older the item, the more elusive it is to find and becomes more valuable.

BOOM!: What have been some of the biggest challenges operating Kynard Korner? How do you get your inventory, do you take donations?

Nina: The biggest challenge has been letting people know that my business existed. Kynard Korner Vintage Boutique is located inside Eastbrook Flea Market and Antique Mall. I choose to be inside Eastbrook Flea Market because of convenience. I don’t have to be there full time and I just have to maintain my Boutique by keeping it stocked and looking nice. All sales go through Eastbrook Flea Market and they handle the sales

Nina and Ray, their favorite view on Lake Jordan

Advertising also let people know they could sell directly to me. It introduced me to younger adults who were looking for something different and unique. Vintage Fashion Guild which has a website that lists vintage stores including mine and provides historical information regarding vintage fashion. I have a business Facebook page (Kynard Korner Vintage Boutique inside Eastbrook Flea Market). I use Facebook and Instagram as another means of advertising.

Most of my early inventory came from scouting yard sales and thrift stores. In more recent years, I have been buying directly from people that are cleaning out grandparents’ or parents’ homes. They will call me and I will go to them. I have had people to give me things that they felt could be appreciated and enjoyed by others rather than donating them to a thrift store. Preparing the inventory for sale and keeping the Boutique neat is ongoing. Up until recently, I worked and did not have time to maintain the Boutique appropriately as it grew in size. My friend, A Classic Kynard Family Photo Charmaine Knight is invaluable in helping me with maintaining the Boutique. She also serves as a model and will wear some of the outfits for advertising. I have two other friends,

Frances Walker and Becky Cason that help me out when I need their expertise in organizing and display.

BOOM!: How have you been dealing with the COVID 19 challenges with your business and personally?

Nina: With any business or personal endeavors, you must build up a rainyday fund to cover yourself when sales or income is down. COVID 19 has certainly been hard on all businesses. Many of my sales are for events such as proms, themed parties, theater and movies that are being made in the area. October through May have traditionally been my busy months. Summers are usually slow but I could maintain because of the good months. Everything came to a stop after February. The store was closed for a month. Even

Nina and daughter Susan at Auburn Game

running a sale for the past two months has not helped much because people are not really shopping now. Money is tight for those that have been laid off and special events are not happening. It does not look much better for the next few months either. I do believe it is safer to be home. My husband and I have been careful because we are in the high-risk category. I do not go anywhere without having a mask on and having hand sanitizer available to use. I go when I think the crowds will be smaller and don’t go out unless I really need something. We have decided to not get into large group settings at this time. I encourage everyone to be careful by wearing your mask and using hand sanitizer when you are out in public and wash your hands frequently. Not everyone wants to wear a mask. I understand because it is not comfortable for long periods of time. I do not see it as a rights issue though. In my opinion, it’s doing the right thing to protect the people around you and your loved ones.

Nina's daughter Kelli and son, Bobby

BOOM!: You recently retired from The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group located in Old Alabama Town. Please tell us what your role was and the services

Nina and Ray with daughter Susan and her husband James

the group provides in helping children’s groups?

Nina: I retired from civil service in 1999 after working for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 28 years. I had the opportunity to go to work part-time with The Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group, a non-profit organization. Within

Nina and Ray with daughters Susan, Kelli, son Craig

a couple of months, I was hired fulltime as the Business Manager. CWG offers assistance to States, agencies and organizations throughout the United States seeking to improve their ability to protect children from harm, strengthen families and provide permanency and well-being for the children they serve. CWG provides Consultation and Training in all areas of child welfare including System and Organizational Assessments and Quality Service Reviews. As Business Manager, I provided all the administrative support for operating a nonprofit organization. I retired in February after 20 years of service. I continue to provide assistance when needed.

BOOM!: What are you most passionate about?

Nina: I am passionate about my family, friends, my cats, vintage clothing and its history, supporting my husband’s hobbies and Auburn. I love my blended family.

We are all very close and scenery was magnificent goodness, my kids and grandkids keep us see each other often. and The Alaskan Brewery up with anything new. A computer and We are blended through and Haines Brewery the internet is essential. Facebook is a marriage and our love for sponsored some wonderful resource when used to make Auburn and Alabama. I outstanding outdoor connection with friends and family and to love my friends and care dinners with fresh advertise. about them dearly. My salmon and crab as the friends are all lifetime main dishes. Of course, BOOM!: What is it about living in the friends. I love them all craft beer was featured. Montgomery/River Region area that you even if I only talk with We owned a townhome like? What do we need more of? them once a year. I love for a few years in Gulf all of my cats and I have Shores and enjoyed Nina: I love my neighborhood of Dalraida had many over the years. our trips down. Our and the surrounding neighborhoods. Our My husband and I are daughter, Kelli owns it area is older and the homes are individual craft beer connoisseurs. now so we can still visit and don’t have that cookie cutter feeling. This came about as we when we want. Because There are lots of trees and flowers. Our explored and traveled Granddaughters, Bella and Willow Mills of my husband’s, hobby, neighborhood is beautiful in the spring; over the years. I love we have traveled all rich with azaleas and blooming trees. Auburn! War Eagle!! (My husband and over the United States. We My own home is a several of the kids and their spouses have made some really cottage ranch built in are Alabama fans living with Auburn fan wonderful friends that we 1947. Many of the spouses.) We are a house divided but in a would not have now if it families are still here very good way. was not for this fun hobby after many years and and trade shows. Our homes have been BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind favorite place though is passed down to the down from a full day’s activities? Lake Jordan where we have next family generation. our lake home. I love it We are convenient to Nina: My husband, Ray is a great guy. I being only 30 minutes from downtown, Wetumpka love hanging out with him. He is witty, Montgomery. We are close and Prattville. We funny and overall pleasant. We both love to Wetumpka and Holtville love Downtown craft beer. Nothing better than sitting out (Slapout) so we have many Montgomery!! The on our patio and sampling a new craft beer stores and restaurants just changes over the and just spending time together. He loves minutes away. The sunrises past 20 years are movies so many evenings, he will find a are spectacular and it is so awesome and more movie that we can watch together. I prefer peaceful. Grandchildren, Indy and Keegan along are coming. Because mystery, dramas or happy movies with with their mother, daughter-in-law, our home is so close nice endings. I don’t care for lots of blood BOOM!: Technology is a big Michelle Kynard to the downtown or sinister/bad language movies. part of our lives, what’s your relationship area, we tend to go there for most of our with technology? How social events. We love the businesses BOOM!: What are does technology play a that have opened, the lofts and the some of your favorite role in your business? apartments. There are a few things still travel experiences? needed. Downtown Montgomery needs Favorite vacation spot? Nina: When I talked more shopping opportunities. A grocery Any travel dreams about marketing my store in the downtown area is needed. planned? business, I mentioned Something like a Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s Facebook and or Aldi’s would be a great asset. I can Nina: Ray and I had Instagram. I like using see Dexter Avenue doing well with more the opportunity to it for my advertising. boutiques and art galleries. It already has spend three weeks in I love the internet to wonderful restaurants, event centers and Australia in the early look for information. a coffee shop. Lake Jordan falls within the 90’s which began our CWG had to stay River Region and we love Wetumpka. passion/hobby for current with new craft beer. It was a technology because BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your fabulous trip visiting of providing training priorities changed? friends that lived and reviews to other there. Definitely, the Nina's friend and co-worker, Charmaine Knight agencies. COVID 19 Nina: I had two great careers in my best vacation we have has actually forced life. I was young and focused on career ever had. The second best was a cruise to us to learn new ways to communicate advancement with Department of Veteran Alaska sponsored by Beer Magazine. The such as Zoom and Facetime. Thank Affairs. It was rewarding to work with

the veterans and how would you describe support them. My this sense of renewal in second career was your life? Any advice for focused on support the rest of us seeking of the people trying renewal? What’s the to make a difference future look like for Nina in child welfare Kynard? How do you view systems throughout the idea of retirement? the United States. Advancement was Nina's cat family, Longfellow, Bandit and Puddles... Peepers and Lucky Nina: COVID 19 has no longer a priority. really changed what we Now that I have retired, I have found that Kynard and Bobby Mills both attended had planned when I retired. We were I have mellowed and don’t worry about AUM as well. My husband is a member planning to make trips to visit friends that little things as much. I am more satisfied of the Dixie Lions Club and I help with any we have not seen awhile. My husband in all aspects of my life. I don’t have activities that they sponsor. I donate each will have a BIG Birthday in August so we to have a new car. I don’t worry about year to the Easter Seals Autism Mudbug were planning to travel as much as we having a dent or scratch in my car. What Ball. I have helped to raise funds for other could, while we could. That will hopefully has become valuable to me is having time charitable organizations over the past still happen but not now. For now, I will with my family and friends. As I have lost years. research ways to market my business and family and friends over the years, it has take a look at new ways to sell. That certainly become important to value the BOOM!: How do you and your husband being said, I want to enjoy my retirement time I do have with those still here. I am like to spend time with family? Describe so I don’t want to submerge myself comfortable with my beliefs but I will not your experience as a mom, can you share completely into working full-time again. let those take precedent over friendships any motherly advice? What do your I love the vintage clothing business but I and relationships with others. It is more grandkids call you and your husband? want to be able to choose what I want to important to love and not judge those that do each day. I don’t want to be dictated do not think like me. That can be hard but Nina: When my husband and I married, we by a work schedule. That is how I plan to it can be done. suddenly had a family of seven in a house view my retirement. My renewal comes with one bathroom. I learned to live from two places right now; enjoying my BOOM!: Give us three words that describe with lots of activity and noise. These kids backyard flower gardens and enjoying my you? learned to be friends as well as brothers/ Lake Jordan home. There is nothing like sisters. Yes, they fought like all siblings do sitting on the deck looking at the water, Nina: Loving, Caring, Social but they care for each other and love each birds and boats to gain that peaceful and other unconditionally. Our family is now renewed feeling. Also, for a collector, BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other large and extended. We are very close renewal comes from that amazing find activities that grab your attention? and we usually see the children that live in when you least expect it. It is a euphoria Montgomery often. Each year, we have a and good feeling that only a collector Nina: History is my passion which is how I large Christmas Breakfast gathering which knows. I would suggest that renewal ended up having the vintage business and we call the Kynard Christmas Chaos. There comes from finding that place of little collecting antiques. My husband’s hobby can be anywhere from 25 to 40 family and stress and a sense of peace through prayer. of Breweriana collecting is also historical. friends gathering each year. Everyone We enjoy traveling to places we have brings a breakfast dish. We play games, We want to thank Nina for sharing her story never been and finding good brew pubs for open gifts and throw balled-up wrapping with us in this month's cover profile. If you food and craft beer. paper at each other. My husband’s exwant to connect with Nina, email her at BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or church activities? Nina: I attend Dexter Avenue King Baptist Church Bible Study on Wednesdays at noon. My daughter-in-law introduced me to them 6 years ago. I absolutely love the pastor and the people who attend this wife, Jane is also our friend and neighbor. We learned from the beginning that having good relationships with everyone involved in our extended family is very important. Having an Auburn/Alabama house divided can really teach you how to handle all those other differences. It is all about respect and love. Our grandkids, depending on their ages have given me nkynard@yahoo.com or take some friends with you and visit her store in Eastbrook Flea Market, 425 Coliseum Blvd. Check her Facebook Page too. A special thanks to Shellee Roberts at Total Image Portraits for making this month and other cover shots the best they can be, you can check them out at www.totalimage.com. If you have questions, group. It is open to anyone and the study different names. I am Grandma Nina to comments or suggestions about our cover is wonderful. I have been involved in fund the adult grandkids and I am YaYa to the profiles, including nominating someone, raising events for Auburn/AUM School of younger ones. Ray is Granddaddy. please send them to Jim Watson at Nursing. My daughter, Susan is an AUM jim@riverregionboom.com. nursing graduate and my family has an BOOM!: Many people as they age seek endowment set up for nursing scholarships new experiences, a renewed sense of Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at in my parents’ names. Our sons, Craig purpose, new goals, even new careers, www.riverregionboom.com/archive/