Remembering Joyce Steinbuch, the woman behind Enchanted Frog Antiques (1947–2026)
For more than three decades, Joyce C. Steinbuch helped build Enchanted Frog Antiques into a destination for collectors, dealers and antique enthusiasts throughout the Kansas City region and beyond. But for Joyce, the business was always about more than antiques. It was about people, history, community and the stories that connected them. Joyce passed away Sept. 5, 2026, at the age of 79.
The beginnings of the Frog
Enchanted Frog Antiques opened in August 1996 in downtown Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Joyce, her husband Phillip “Phil” Steinbuch and her mother Laveigh worked together to renovate a building near the historic Hall of Waters and Elms Hotel, creating an antique store that would become an important part of their lives.
From the beginning, Joyce saw the store as part of something larger.
She and Laveigh worked with other downtown merchants on efforts to strengthen and revitalize the community, recognizing that a successful antique destination depended not only on individual businesses but on the appeal of the area.
As the Frog grew, its origi nal location could no longer accommodate the business. The family relocated Enchanted Frog to Lathrop, Missouri, where a former gas station near Interstate 35 was renovated and expanded into a much larger antique destination. The new location gave Joyce room to pursue an increasingly ambitious vision.
A passion for marketing
Joyce understood antiques and appreciated the history and character behind them.
But one of her greatest professional passions was marketing. She loved the challenge of building a recognizable brand and attracting people who might never have considered visiting an antique store. Billboards, advertisements, promotions, community partnerships and articles were all opportunities to tell the Frog’s story.
Joyce was a regular contributor to Discover Vintage America, sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm, and personality with readers. She believed that successful marketing could help an entire community of antique dealers, not simply one business. Her efforts helped establish Enchanted Frog as a familiar destination for collectors and travelers throughout the region.
The Frog Family
Perhaps Joyce’s most lasting achievement was the community that developed around the store.
Over the years, the dealers, employees, booth renters, customers and longtime friends of Enchanted Frog became affectionately known as the Frog Family. It was a name that reflected the relationships Joyce valued. She enjoyed the personalities, conversations, discoveries and occasional challenges that came with bringing so many people together.
Anyone who spent time with Joyce knew she was intelligent, creative, independent, and full of ideas. She loved a good story and was rarely without an opinion about what might make the business better. Even as her health declined, Joyce remained interested in the store and proud of the people who helped make it successful. She continued as its owner until her passing.
