WHITE ELEPHANT EMPORIUM

Fabulously unique.

They knew this would be a unique thing for Pittsburg. 

It’s eclectic. Like them. 

“One of the main questions we had at the start was whether Pittsburg would understand what we’re trying to do,” said Stephanie Beitzinger-Watts, who co-owns White Elephant Emporium with her sister-in-law Danielle Beitzinger. “We got our answer fairly early on. The response was overwhelming.”

White Elephant Emporium at 804 N. Broadway features, in the owners’ own words, “fabulously unique home decor.” And as the name suggests, most of it is previously-owned items that the owners “rescue and revive.”

It’s a perfect mix of the owners’ complimentary design tastes. Danielle likes a more “modern, clean lines” approach, while Stephanie prefers older, “more traveled” pieces. 

“It’s the combination of our two styles that really makes this work perfectly,” Danielle said.

Along with being family – Danielle married Stephanie’s younger brother Brian – they’re both designers who have partnered on numerous projects over the past two decades. They both have unique ties to Pittsburg and took different paths to this moment, this store. 

Stephanie grew up in Pittsburg, part of the well-known Beitzinger family. After college she married a military man and lived all over the country and overseas. They were in the Orlando area when the comforts of home and the ease of small town life started to sound really good again.

“Never in a million, gazillion years did I think I’d move back to Pittsburg,” she said, “but life beckoned me back.”

Danielle grew up in Kansas City, near Lawrence, but chose Pitt State over KU because it was smaller and she wanted something different. That’s where she met Brian, which led her to Stephanie. 

“It just so happened that we’re both designers,” Danielle said. “We quickly became friends. Even if we weren’t family, we’d be friends and probably working together in some way.”

Kansas City is still home for Danielle, but she’s often in Pittsburg helping with the store. 

“The drive between Pittsburg and KC is so easy and quick now,” she said. “I’m sometimes down here four times a week. It’s a passion thing. We love what we do, and we put a lot of time into it. There are many times when I’m sad to leave Pittsburg. I love being down here.”

More than just a way to explore their creative sides, this White Elephant experience is about community and giving back. It’s about helping Pittsburg push itself and grow.

“I think we all have a gift that we can give to the world, to our communities,” Stephanie said. “For us, this is our way of giving back to Pittsburg, a place that always meant so much to both of us. There are some really design-savvy, fashion-forward people in Pittsburg, and we hear all the time how much they appreciate not having to leave town to get stuff like this.

“Pittsburg is changing, it’s evolving. We weren’t sure if this would work here, but we do believe that if you provide a quality product and a fun experience, people will shop locally. And they have.”

She added that the White Elephant Emporium fits perfectly in the Pittsburg, Kansas of today.

“Our shop is a little bit different than what Pittsburg has been used to, and that’s what’s fun about it,” she said. “We’re helping to push us a little a bit and help Pittsburg keep growing. And it’s not just us. Look at TOAST and Miners + Monroe and the breweries and boutiques, and all of downtown, really. It’s an exciting time to be here.”

Danielle compares Pittsburg today to Lawrence, which has always had a “cool vibe with Mass Street” and the KU college scene. 

“Pitt State has always been a special part of Pittsburg,” she said, “and now we have a really cool downtown experience that just adds to the college town feel. Pittsburg is just as cool as these other places that we talk about.”

“We just have to believe that and have the confidence to keep growing.”