Kevin and Paul Johnson, owners of The Emporium at Portsmouth, LLC, receive a CAPE Award (Chamber Award for Process Excellence) at the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award Breakfast on October 21, 2003, for "Encouraging the Competition/Marketing Strategies." This award was in recognition for their having developed and distributed over 18,000 copies of the "Shopping in Portsmouth" brochure (a copy is located on this site to download). Presenting the award is Craig Gilliland, Chairman of the Board for the Chamber of Commerce. The Emporium at Portsmouth also received the Small Business Award for being the best "New & Emerging Business."

Kevin and Paul Johnson purchased their historic 1899 mercantile building, at 607 Chillicothe Street in downtown Portsmouth, in February of 2002. After months of restoration work on its interior, their new business, The Emporium at Portsmouth, opened its doors on November 1, 2002.

Paul is a native of Portsmouth while Kevin is a native of Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia. Both had lived in California for over 26 years and they have been partners since 1978. Paul, who has over 30 years senior level experience in Information Technology, decided to return home after the massive IT layoffs in California following the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Kevin, retired since 1990 due to medical problems, has a senior level business and government background. And they had, jointly, owned two art galleries in California - so, they come to Portsmouth with a background in business and the general field of antiques, art and collectibles.

Their goal is for The Emporium at Portsmouth to be not only a great place to shop but also a destination for those wanting to see an incredibly beautiful and restored historic site.

With some 6,000 square feet of floor space on two restored levels, The Emporium at Portsmouth houses not only an extensive collection of items selected by Kevin and Paul, but also antiques and collectibles of some twenty vendors and consigners.

The primary business axiom practiced by The Emporium at Portsmouth is customer service. From free and quick antique furniture delivery (within 25 miles), acceptance of personal checks, Master Card and Visa, a 60-day lay-away plan (only 10% down), an absolute guarantee on vinyl records (and an Emporium Record Club - buy ten, receive $5 towards your next purchase), special opening times and events for business, social and tour groups, to selecting fine art at reasonable prices for local businesses, The Emporium at Portsmouth strives to meet the needs of a discerning public.

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