CURIOUS CARGO

Family business fulfills John and Kim Hudak’s dream

by Gregory Epps

Kim and John Hudak

As winter blankets Hampton Roads and the cold winds of March begin to rise, Curious Cargo holds the bright promise of spring.  Walking through the front doors of this Virginia Beach shop, winter disappears in a burst of color and light.

Like stepping from an airplane into a tropical resort, Curious Cargo offers visitors a relaxing stroll in a world apart.

Gazing across a stylish and varied expanse of rich and colorful décor, it comes as no surprise when co-owner John Hudak points out that Curious Cargo, which he owns with his wife, Kim, is a favorite destination for interior decorators and designers.

Glittering schools of metal fish swim across the walls, colorful house flags flutter and Asian lacquers gleam.  The floor is filled with silk palms, rattan furniture and an amazing variety of black and white outdoor wicker pieces.

Curious Cargo employee Sheila Cabral tends to the gorgeous and colorful floral section in the store

Curious Cargo offers a vacation feel
all year round, ranging from elegant
to fun, and a way to enrich our
living spaces with simple luxury. 

Glowing lamps, woven rugs and figurines of every description fill the space, while displays feature ornately monogrammed china, clean-burning soy-based candles by Bean Pod, and Tervis tumblers.

Well-staged furniture tableaus line the aisles, and everywhere is custom-framed art, silk flowers, ceramic dishware, rich porcelain arrays and splashes of bright color.

This is a truly family-owned and operated business that’s dedicated to offering customers the personal touch.  John and Kim’s son, Kevin, works in the store, and their daughter, Adrienne, helps out when she can, working around her busy schedule as a diet tech at a local rehabilitation center.

It’s also a long-time dream come true for John.

He honed his knowledge of the import market and eye for quality during the 13 years he worked at Portside Imports.

“The idea of having my own store evolved over time for me,” he says.

As proud as they are of the products they have, John and Kim stake their success on personal service.

“We go out of our way to make sure the customer gets what they want,” Kim says, pointing out how Curious Cargo can special order merchandise that is available from their popular product lines.

“We’re always happy to break out the catalog to find that perfect item,” John says with a smile.

Curious Cargo also offers memorabilia from all Virginia colleges, and will take special requests from any school.

But their flexibility doesn’t stop there.  John and Kim have purposefully created a furniture and gift shop with price ranges accessible to customers on virtually any budget, right in the heart of Virginia Beach’s upscale Hilltop area.

Always working to improve their store, the Hudaks have even turned their biannual Atlanta buying trips into a vacation where they can see old friends and make new ones.

Curious Cargo is inviting to shoppers looking for accessories both practical and decorative, as well as those looking to redo their entire home in resort or beach chic, whimsy, or nautical themes.  Even the traditionalist will find timeless examples of American and Asian décor.

“We offer good quality,” Kim says, “with good selection and good price. There’s something here for everyone.  Monthly, and even weekly, we’re always getting new merchandise in.  It’s always changing, so customers are pleasantly surprised every time they visit.”

More than that, Curious Cargo offers a vacation feel all year round, ranging from elegant to fun, and a way to enrich our living spaces with simple luxury.  Browsing among nodding palms, colorful fish and plush patio furniture, it seems that spring has come early to Hilltop, and not a minute too soon.

Like the bamboo-framed direction sign hanging next to John and Kim’s whimsical toucans, the charming inventory in Curious Cargo points the way toward an indoor paradise that virtually anyone can afford.