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Collaborative shopping spaces are changing the commerce environment for tourist destinations, small towns and downtown Main Street shopping experiences in Arkansas. It’s a long-standing business principle that you must diversify your portfolio of offerings to grow a business. Most small-business owners in Arkansas’ passion, work ethic and most importantly, having their finger on the pulse of and being tightly weaved into their communities helps to bring more opportunities and new ideas.
Attempting to expand their business and stay open during a challenging economic year from the Covid-19 pandemic, stores like Amelia’s Picalily and More in downtown Nashville, Arkansas, changed the shopper experience by expanding their business model with new ventures, including a bakery, boutique and photography space.
Amelia Moore, the owner of Picalily and More, recently shared on the Create Bridges podcast about her decision-making process. “I wanted to be part of the story of Main Street. I knew the businesses I added could support and sustain each other. When you are in a small town, you are not only competing with the other businesses in your town but the larger towns around you where people will travel to shop. It is important as a small-business owner to keep up, stay on your toes, and know the needs of your local shoppers as the question, ‘what will make them want to come in here again and again, even if it’s not in your wheelhouse or the original idea that drove you to start a business?'”
This collaborative shopping experience makes many of these places “one-stop shops” in local hometowns across the state. By creating these shopping spaces, makers can attract a new offline audience made possible by tourism and foot traffic.
Here are our favorite Collaborative Shopping Experiences Across Arkansas:
Bentonville Mercantile
Bentonville | website
- Local makers collaborative shopping
- Pillows, jewelry, wooden ornaments, metal artwork
- Happy State Co t-shirts
Amelia’s Picalilly and More
Nashville | website
- Floral arrangements
- itty bitty bakery and coffee shop
- Mockingbird Boutique
- Photography and Event Planning
Petit Jean Coffeehouse & Mercantile
Petit Jean Mountain/Morrilton | website
- Coffee shop serving delicious Airship Coffee, breakfast and brown bag lunches with outdoor seating space
- Mercantile with primarily Arkansas-made products, Petit Jean Mountain souvenirs, quality t-shirts and gifts, food products, and a lot of Southern hospitality.
- Airbnb – short term rental on-site
Stephens Olde Tyme Country Store
Magnolia | website
- Pool supplies and Artesian Spas
- Home decor and children’s gift items
- Local sourced jams and jellies and Stephens Old Tyme Mill product selection
Essential Frills
Maumelle | website
- Cosmetics and makeup consultation
- Fashion boutique – clothing, footwear and accessories
- Razorback gifts
- expert ear piercing
The Green Corner Store
Little Rock | website
- Earth Friendly Tea Bar
- Bedding and Bath linens and decor
- Unique Arkansas gifts
- Personal care and pet products
Jim’s Boot Shop
Lockesburg | website
- Spring florals, greenery and seasonal plants
- Farm supply
- Handmade leather gifts and accessories
- Zeb’s Lunch Box food truck
The Artistry
Searcy | website
- Multiple artists work in one space – pottery, jewelry, cards, crochet products, soap
- Floral arrangements and fine art
- Learning space – classes and artist teaching space
Cove Creek Emporium
Leslie | website
- Coffee Shop and Bakery
- Antiques
- Fabric and sewing supplies
- Seasonal produce market
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