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Pop-up shops cater to small business
Pop-up shops cater to small businesses
By Kalea Hall
HUBBARD
To Marissa Devantier, it is all about small business.
The artisan started her business last year online, and it blossomed into the Hubbard storefront it is today.
She has a vision, and a part of that is to help other small-business starters. That’s why she hosts pop-up shops at her Vintie Design Co. Shop at 20 W. Liberty St.
“The pop-up shops were just another idea I had to support small businesses,” Devantier said. “It’s been an excellent source to drive business.”
A pop-up shop is basically a store within a store. Devantier offers her store space to local businesses that do not have that option right now. Those businesses are Lola Bean’s Boutique, a handpicked vintage wares
etsy.com store started by Melissa D’Apolito of Poland, and Culturehouse Coffee Roasters, a single-origin coffee-roasting company started by Stephen and Mary Protheroe of Girard
“We love Youngstown,” Mary said. “Our dream is to be in downtown Youngstown with our own shop.”
But for now, they use the online market and Devantier’s pop-up shops.
Devantier got started creating her city coasters last March. She takes a city’s map from an atlas and sticks it to a tile to make a coaster. She started selling them on etsy.com — an online shop were many crafters sell their handmade products. She also makes home decor and accessories. She called her shop “Vintie” — the word “invite” rearranged.
“I like to think you invite design into your life,” Devantier said.
Her storefront opened in November. She had the store renovated with donated wooden pallets for the flooring and the walls. She was inventive and made tables with wood she found. Her investment: $20.
“My focus is to keep it all American made,” she said. “I wanted it to feel handmade. That it was put together.”
She invited crafters to put their items in her store on consignment. Today, candles, scarves, clocks, thermometers and even children’s teepees are for sale. Devantier has a total of 13 artisans’ items for sale, and she will soon add two more designers’ items.
“The vision, long-term, is to be a handmade shop but also be a cafe and bakery,” she said. “I like the idea that people can build relationships in their community.”
The Protheroes got started in their business last fall. Mary, a barista (a person who prepares and sells coffee) and librarian, always wanted to have her own coffee shop. That still is the goal, but for now, they are spreading a love of single-origin coffee beans that come from a wholesaler in California. Once they get the beans, Mary and Stephen roast them.
“My dad is a small-business owner, and he was very encouraging and encouraged us to take a risk and go for it,” Mary said. “Eventually, our dream is to make relationships with the farmers.”
D’Apolito also started her business through etsy.com last year. Her business is to sell vintage clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories that she finds. She fixes them up and maintains their original condition.
“I will buy the things I like and [items] that I know the style will work for today,” she said. “A lot of people don’t think they can wear vintage clothes. It is more incorporating it into your wardrobe.”
The ultimate goal is to have a brick-and-mortar store. For now, D’Apolito is growing her customer base online and through the pop-up shops.
“[Pop-up shops] are a really big thing in Pittsburgh and Cleveland,” she said. “I feel like there is a need for that here.”
The Vintie Design Co. shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Future pop-up shops at Vintie, featuring Lola Bean’s Boutique and Culture House Coffee Roasters, will take place April 18 and May 16.