Kati Geisler:
Meet your New Best Friend

Walk into Blast Off Vintage and there is a good chance you will be greeted by a hilarious, humble, ball of energy just waiting to make you her new best friend. Kati Geisler started “junking” as a child with her grandmother — “Gram Mac” — and it has turned into a lifelong passion. She opened her dream shop, a second-hand retro clothes store/skateboard shop/music venue, with co-owner Pete Ingraham, five years ago. This past November they moved from their location on Commercial Street to a bigger, better locale at 860 High St. NE. If you need help picking out a special outfit or an opinion on an ensemble of your choosing, Kati’s your gal. She will make sure you leave the store looking and feeling great. It is her wish that people will see themselves as she does. She believes everyone is gorgeous, but sometimes can’t see it themselves. Kati loves Salem and everything it has to offer. She strives to be a  positive force for change in the community by offering job interview outfits for those who cannot afford it on their own. She keeps a “Career Closet” stocked and donates to Willamette University and individuals. Kati believes everyone should feel confident when interviewing regardless of income. Blast Off is also part of Salem’s growing music scene. They host punk rock concerts in their store and will continue to bring bands to the city. So stop, and join us as we sift through this local junker’s musings.

What is your favorite thing about Salem? Salem is the center of the universe! We have delicious water, fantastic schools, an amazing library and our roads are magnificently maintained. We enjoy music on the streets of downtown, tons for kids to do and we can walk for hours around acres of public parks. The bones of our fine city are strong! But my absolute favorite thing about Salem, is you. We have the most genuinely beautiful people! 

What is your favorite thing to do in Salem? I actually really love my “job.” I scour the sweet Salem streets for goodies all morning then I get meet my new best friends every day as they walk into Blast Off. Plus my boss lets me bring my son to work, heh. 

Who is your favorite fictional character? The Tooth Fairy. Hands down!

What is your greatest achievement? Roman Edward Danger Geisler. Everything I ever thought I knew about myself died in the beautiful sweat-drenched first seconds I saw him. I understand genuine, unconditional love. I learned humility, patience, forgiveness, and how to make it look cool to not brush my hair ever again. My son is my world. I’m the luckiest woman I know because he calls me “mom.” Monster shout out to Deborah Johnson for getting me pregnant! You want that woman in your corner if you struggle with infertility. She’s a Salem hero!

If you could go back in history, who would you want to hang out with? May I present a last supper environment? I’d love to enjoy lasagna with Mahatma Gandhi, Sojourner Truth, Dorothy Hodgkin, Lao Tzu, Mary Wollstonecraft, Muhammad, Virgin Mary, Mr. Rogers, Malcolm X, Emma Goldman and my grandparents when they were in their 20s. 

What do you wish you knew more about? Everything! My daily goals include learning like I’ll live forever! Lately, I’ve been very curious about welding, newer auto repair and the sociological experience of tending bar. 

What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking? Music is my heartbeat. I love it all! I’ve been born without a filter and have little trouble admitting almost anything. But even some of my closest friends don’t know how much I love funk and early rap! A perfect meld for both would be maybe, and this might be a stretch, “check yo self”  the Ice Cube version. I’d have a terrible time choosing between punk and disco if I were born 18 years earlier. That’s hard to admit.

What songs hit you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear them? Every memory I have holds a backbeat: “Melody Lee” by The Damned; “Fire” by Ohio Players; Anything by Ween; “Amoeba” by The Adolescents; “Golden Brown” by The Stranglers; “Screams in the Ears” by Bill Fay; “Nervous Breakdown” by Black Flag. 

Where’s your go to restaurant for amazing food? I’m a sucker for taco trucks! I eat spicy tacos at Half Time Bar and Grill, frequently. Ask for the Kati taco. They’re delicious! Aside from tacos, I frequent places that support live music: Shotskis, The Space, Christo’s, Venti’s — all delights! 

What is your most treasured possession? Time. I cherish the company more than anything I can touch or hold. I didn’t think about it until losing my Gramtastic last month, but I have every one of my heroes’ wrist watches! I didn’t mean to collect them but I hold their time, even if they don’t carry it anymore. My gramps Seiko watch. That’s my most cherished possession. 

Favorite color? Green! 

60’s or 70’s fashion? 60s, hard! Skinny collars, stovepipe pants, suspenders, a-line mod dresses in atomic print! Whew, that’s a look. 

Chunky or creamy peanut butter? Chunky!

DC or Marvel comics? Neither. I’d rather roll 20s.

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 5 (Feb/Mar 2019).