Small Shopping at The Mill Shop and Co-Op

This interiors focused store in Casady Square is pretty special to me. It was one of my first forays in diving all-in locally shopping in Oklahoma City. The Mill Shop is woven with its sister company, Dovetail Studios, an interior design business that I can personally highly recommend.

I actually first found this gem on Instagram. We had just bought an old four-square in historic Mesta Park and I was overwhelmed with needing a literal house-full of furniture. I had hired someone from out of state (!) to help me (because I was relatively new to the city) and things were going nowhere. Completely stalled out. I needed the help of someone locally. *This was my first lesson in LOCAL IS BEST.* I needed a literal place to sit down. We were all sorts of desperate for actual chairs to sit in but patiently found someone that could help us along the way. After interviewing several local options my husband and I decided on Natalie from Dovetail. Dovetail introduced me to places around town I didn’t know existed. I really started shopping locally.

The Mill Shop is Natalie Turner’s and her business partner, Taylor Malone’s, shop. I have been by the shop countless times, and I have gotten to know both Natalie and Taylor. They are hard working, genuine ladies that care deeply about their projects. They have impeccable on trend taste and you can find very unique and even locally sourced goodies throughout their store. Everything is merchandised so well and there is an array of items from jewelry to gifts.

The unique thing about the store is how full service it is. You can order custom pillows. You can hire Dovetail for your holiday decor install. Or to style your home. Or to do your custom build. You can sign up for one of their workshops. Succulent planting! Wreath making! But what is really unique is that while they have so much diversity and so much to offer, it all feels approachable and easy. This store is authentic.

But back to Instagram — The Mill Shop and Co-Op and Dovetail Studios feeds are fun, inspiring, realistic, and interactive. If you enjoy following a well curated feed of lovely and authentic photos, this is one not to be missed. And I watch all of their stories! And their personal feeds! Hahahaha!

I asked the Mill Shop girls some questions so that you could get to know them —

ShopSmallOKC: Tell me a little about your small shop —

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: Customers often ask us "What does Co-Op mean?" We added Co- Op to the end of our name because inside our little shop there are 2 companies, several local artisans and makers, we host workshops, and we collaborate with other local entrepreneurs. The shop is eclectic and speaks to all and our goal is to provide something a little extraordinary for OKC.

ShopSmallOKC: When did your store open?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: October 2016

ShopSmallOKC: What is your store’s specialty?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: We aren't your typical home interior store...as interior designer's with design degrees from UCO, we are able to assist customers in selecting furnishings with more purpose.

ShopSmallOKC: Why did you go into small business/open your store?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: To accommodate our interior design clients from @dovetailstudio while filling a void for home decor stores in the OKC metro by providing eclectic and extraordinary finds.

ShopSmallOKC: What accomplishment are you most proud of as a small shop owner?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: In our short 2 years of business, we are most proud of the relationships that we have developed with our customers and local makers along with the continual growth of The Mill Shop and Co-Op and Dovetail Studio together as a whole.

ShopSmallOKC: What is the biggest challenge of being a small shop?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: With so many home interior stores locally, we feel that our biggest challenge is standing out in the crowd.

ShopSmallOKC: When you aren’t busy with your shop, what do you enjoy doing?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op: We spend ALOT of time working with 2 newly established businesses but any spare time is spent with family.

ShopSmallOKC: Favorite OKC date night?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op:

Natalie: Tokyo House Sushi

Taylor: Live music and anything in Midtown

ShopSmallOKC: Favorite local thing to go/see/do?

The Mill Shop and Co-Op:

Natalie: Taking my daughter, Izzy, on adventures to the zoo, the Science Museum, etc...also love attending Junk Hippy Road Show and Old Chicken Barn Show in Jones

Taylor: Hitting up new local restaurants and breweries with friends and family

You can check out the Mill Shop and Co-Op on their website (www.dovetailstudiook.com), Instagram (@themillshopandcoop and @dovetailstudiook) or go visit them in Casady Square (The Village) shopping center - 9207 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73120