One of the most familiar faces at River City, would be that of Andrea Patterson. She has been a vendor and part time employee at the store for 18 years. Andrea’s best feature, of her many, is her sense of humor. She is always ready to appreciate a good joke with her signature enthusiastic laughter. Andrea’s love of junking and travel are only eclipsed by the devotion she feels towards her grandchildren. She also has two well-appointed booths at River City and she can be found reworking them almost every Friday. We thought we knew this fabulous lady pretty well, but she still managed to surprise us during this interview.

You are a native Tulsan, where did you go to school?

I was born in Cincinnati, but grew up in Tulsa. I went to Franklin, Whitney, Hale, TU and transferred to OU during her freshman year. Hale was the quintessential, Happy Days high school. TU was wonderful, but I really found my home when I transferred to OU. Larry was there on a baseball scholarship, I was in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, it was just the most fun. I loved school! 

Tell us what a typical Friday night would look like when you were in high school.

Oh my gosh...well, a Friday night would have been planned in advance. If we didn’t have a football game, I would have been spending the night with a friend or seeing my boyfriend.  

What did you do last Friday night?

I can’t remember what I did last Friday, but whatever it was, I was with Larry. 

When/where did you meet your husband?

I met Larry the summer before my sophomore year in high school. It was at my best friend’s birthday party. She had a big party on her driveway with a DJ and kids from different schools came. There was a slumber party afterwards. Every time a car would drive by, we would rush to the window thinking it was boys from the party coming to do “The Hale Honk”. You know, “Hail to the Rangers, valiant. Hail to the conquering heroes. Fight, fight for Nathan Hale.” 

This sounds like a scene from the movie, Grease.

You have 2 children?

Yes, a son and a daughter. Like me and Larry, Matt graduated from OU and Brooke graduated from TCC. Matt worked for The Daily Oklahoman for years. Brooke is a Vet Tech in Tulsa. 

You have 2 grandchildren…

Chloe is 12 and Reid is 6. They are just the most precious people. I feel like I am still on this earth to be part of their lives. 

Do any of them like to go junking?

Chloe loves to junk! She has a really good eye and knows a good deal. 

Who do you go junking with?

My sister, Teri, and I go junking together. Girl’s trips, mostly to Texas and Kansas. I love the quality time with my sister. It is full of laughs and fun. 

What is your junking strategy?

Well, I don’t get up early enough to get the good stuff at garage sales. I have contacts in Texas and Kansas that I have been shopping with for years, they are like family. I call on them to find what I am looking for. We shop their buildings and we are never disappointed. 

You have worked at River City for 18 years and been a dealer for how many? What came first...the chicken or the egg?

Well, it all happened about the same time. I took early retirement from Chevron, started my booth in June of 2002 and began working at River City that July, and Steve is a wonderful boss, just the best !! 

Do you have a favorite story about River City?

Years ago, I was working with Rick in our furniture area. This is when our furniture area was on the west side of the building...that’s how long ago it was. There was a huge metal bird cage that was on wheels. Well, you know how persuasive Rick can be, he was being extremely playful that day. He talked me into to putting on a pink nylon robe over my clothes and getting into the bird cage. He wheeled me up to the front counter. The look on everyone’s face was priceless! 

Where did your love of junking come from?

My Great Aunt had an antique store in Ohio. I remember being enthralled with it at 5 years old. My Mom would take me and my little sister on junking day trips when we were little. 

Most unusual or favorite find?

When we were in a little village in England, I found a vintage British flag for my son. We thought that was a real great find. 

Is there a treasure you have found that you can’t part with?

Actually there is! I couldn’t part with a shabby chic vintage chest that I bought at a garage sale. There is also a mirror I bought at an estate sale in Jenks that I will always keep. The mirror supposedly belonged to Humphrey Bogart at one time. It came to Oklahoma with some antique collectors that used to live in California. 

Is there anything you have regretted selling?

Everything is for sale! 

Do you have any collections?

I have collected vintage Santas and McCoy pottery for years. 

What do you think is the best conversation piece in your home?

It used to be Larry’s Dad’s piano, but we donated it to Oral Roberts University. Now I would have to say it is an antique table that belonged to my paternal great grandfather. 

If, for one month, you could live at any famous residence or house in the entire world, which one would you pick?

Ooooo! I think, it would be Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace. 

We know you love to travel, do you have a favorite trip?

Well, besides England and Ireland, it would have to be a trip to Maine Larry and I took in October of 2007. We went to Bar Harbor City and Acadia National Park. Maine is breathtaking, it has rocky coastlines, the ocean, lighthouses and the lobster fishermen. We went whale watching! On the way home we had a plane delay so we ended up in Cincinnati on my birthday, which is where I was born. It was a perfect vacation. 

If time, money and Covid-19 weren’t an issue...what destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?

Africa! My son and his wife went on a safari and it sounded wonderful. An African safari is my dream trip. 

If you could relive one year of your life, which would it be?

It would be 1971, my son was born that year. I became a Mother. 

You are a movie buff, of all the movie characters you have seen, which one do you believe is most like you?

I am a huge fan of Sally Fields. I think I would be a cross between Norma Rae and the mother in Steel Magnolias. 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” 

Song?

The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (I only wish Andrea would think of this more often…. Steve) 

Actor?

Right now my favorite actor is Tom Hardy. 

Football team?

Without a doubt, the Cleveland Browns and the Oklahoma Sooners are my favorite football teams. 

Tell us something that nobody knows about you.

In the early 70’s I owned and rode a red and gray Yamaha 125 dirt bike. It was a big deal to ride dirt bikes back then. We road all over Turkey Mountain. It was just so freeing and fun! You can be sure I rode my dirt bike in full make-up. 

Advice for new vendors?

 Work, work, work your booth! If you do that, you will be successful.