Downtown’s newest shop sells some older items.

The Farm Girls Vintage Boutique, which sells repainted antique furniture, opened on Oct. 1.

The shop sells an “eclectic collection” of items, according to co-owner Michelle Charniga.

In addition to repainted furniture, the shop’s inventory includes home decor items, lotion, soap, jewelry, purses and clothing.

The furniture is painted with chalk paint from the American Paint Company and the shop sells the paint as well. It’s made in the United States, which is important to Charniga and co-owner Jennie Reynolds.

“We’re trying to keep the majority [of our items] U.S. made,” Charniga said. “That’s one of our main things when we’re out at market and getting things.”

Art-A-Site owner Becky Laabs has purchased some of the paint and plans to refurbish some of her furniture with it.

“The furniture isn’t antique, but it’s dated, so I think this chalk paint is going to be perfect,” Laabs said.

Later this month, the shop will begin offering classes on using the paint, Charniga said.

In a few weeks, the shop’s focus will turn toward Christmas,

Charniga said.

Between that and regular turnover of other items, “[the shop] kind of will look new every time you come in,” Charniga said.

The Farm Girls Vintage Boutique is located at 331 N. Main St., the space formerly occupied by the Happy Badger, which closed this past May.

Charniga and Reynolds had briefly thought about opening a store in the past, but got serious about the idea this past June.

They thought “the ideal location is where Happy Badger used to be,” Reynolds said.

The following week, a for lease sign was up at 331 N. Main St. and the pair was able to get the space they wanted.

“It just all worked out the way we had thought,” Reynolds said.

The shop’s name comes partly from Charniga’s and Reynolds’ pasts.

“We’re both farm girls. We both come from farming backgrounds,” Reynolds said.

Their backgrounds are also reflected in some product names. For example, their lotion line is

Farmhouse Fresh.

Since opening Oct. 1, “Business has been great,” Reynolds said. “We’ve had lots of positive feedback

and comments.”

Other downtown businesses have been welcoming and supportive, including their neighbor Calico Sage and Thyme, Charniga said.

Laabs attended the shop’s ribbon cutting ceremony and was impressed.

“I thought they had an extensive inventory,” with something for any visitor, she said.

As a female business owner, Laabs was pleased to see another business run by women open.

“We’re all very supportive of additional business women starting out here in Bowling Green,” Laabs said.