Lhermansen@cherryroad.com

A modern, general type store resides in an unsuspecting three story older home on the edge of downtown Olathe in the historic residential part of town surrounded by century old homes.

The structure is normally bustling with customers looking for unique gifts for special occasions, local school apparel, shopping for the holidays or participating in an unique art or craft class.

The business began in 2012. It’s owner Jane Hosey Stern has been a fixture in the Olathe School District for decades. She served as a teacher and a counselor for 38 years.

“It was never a dream, but I always loved creating stuff,”she said.

Hosey Stern began sharing her love for art, jewelry and repurposed crafts first by selling her own work to other boutiques and then through her boathouse before transitioning to a business partnership.

She said the partnership wasn’t the right fit for her after 6 months and they parted ways. This was when she decided to open Junque Drawer.

Along with creating fun and unusual crafts, jewelry and art for sale, Hosey Stern teaches classes in a space known as “The Heart Cave”.

The classes range from jewelry making, beaded wineglass and bar items, different styles of painting, stepping stones, junk collage and seasonal holiday projects.

“I knew I was in for an adventure when I realized I’d rather root through trash cans in our alley in Medicine Lodge, Kansas than Play other stuff,”she said. “Finding treasures, re-working them into jewelry, home adornments and wall art was embossed into my being starting in the 1960s and has been an phenomenally wonderful addiction ever since.”

Hosey Stern said she has always been drawn to art and creative expression.

“When I doodled endlessly on my papers in school, I was just practicing for making my wisdom quote signs that I now love to make,”she said.

Hosey Stern’s homemade items range from canvas signs, wood beaded ha sale plaques, vintage bags, furniture, greeting cards, suitcases, toolboxes and more.

The store also sells and showcases local artists they love.

Hannah Greer, her daughter, has been the store manager for the past eight to nine years.

On Friday, she was celebrating with Hosey Stern their new business expansion by slinging drinks for customers in their new bar and cocktail lounge “Buffalo Gals”.

Greer had a full time job before joining Junque Drawer See