Meet + Greet: Scott & Cat McKearn
Magazine Street’s Worldly Wholesalers
Stuck inside the Hammond store due to Mardi Gras, Scott and Cat discovered something between them that harmonized. “We talked all night long and we haven’t stopped talking since.” Fast forward more than six years to see the happy couple with three children (Ronan, Addington and Eva) in tow and two additional locations of Discoveries Furniture & Finds, the third one opening this month at 2850 Magazine Street.
Scott McKearn was born into the business with his father and brother both importing furniture from Indonesia and selling it in Louisiana. Although he grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, McKearn moved to New Orleans to work with his father and eventually attend LSU. Since he has founded the Dauphine Mirror Co., Flambeaux Lighting and Habitat Imports in Baton Rouge. “I can honestly look back and say I’ve been in the furniture retail business for 20 years” laughs McKearn.
Cat (formally Catherine) is a native to Louisiana who grew up in Baton Rouge and graduated with a degree in philosophy from Tulane University. Even before they were married, Cat has been an invaluable business partner who brainstorms ideas and frequently accompanies Scott on buying trips. Visiting villages and cities in India, Indonesia, China and Morocco, the McKearns buy directly from the artisans and sell directly to the consumer at wholesale price.
Just before the recent birth of their youngest child Eva, Scott and Cat McKearn moved into a beautiful house mere blocks from their newest Discoveries location. “It’s great, I can walk to work!” Scott exclaims. Cat has been staying home, taking care of her newborn, but is anxious to get back to work at the Hammond location which manages all the inventory coming in from overseas. Scott was also “jazzed” to announce work on a new, e commerce website for Discoveries Furniture & Finds which will enable shoppers to buy their merchandise online.
For more information, visit www.discoveriewholesalewarehouse.com or visit their latest store at 2850 Magazine Street.