Woodlawn Marketplace will launch a brick-and-mortar storefront: Here’s what you should know
A year after REV Birmingham created Woodlawn Marketplace — a retail pop-up featuring 22 businesses operated by women and people of color — the economic nonprofit will launch the project as a long-term, brick-and-mortar shop.
Woodlawn Marketplace, now in the former Woodlawn Cycle Café space at 5530 1st Avenue South, will feature 11 seasoned Woodlawn Street Market vendors in a retail incubator storefront.
Two food-and-beverage tenants will anchor the retail space: Coffee roaster Trvl Love Koffee, which will offer a full coffee shop experience, and Pearl’s Café, which will offer patrons breakfast and lunch items to order, as well as grab-and-go options.
Woodlawn Marketplace will open Wednesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“We had amazing success with our pop-up marketplace last fall, which left us all wanting for more,” market coordinator Bekah Fox said in an announcement about the new marketplace. “I’m excited to have another opportunity to empower these vendors who have worked so hard to get to this point. With this coffee shop and retail incubator, we are also meeting a need of the Woodlawn community.”
Woodlawn Marketplace will host its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 15. Trvl Love Koffee service will run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Pearl’s Café will serve a special brunch menu starting at 10 a.m. until supplies last.
“It feels like we finally have a home. Coffee is communal and now we have the opportunity to put roots and a foundation to all the things we love about it,” said Anita Craig, Cofounder of Trvl Love Koffee, in the same announcement. “With this space we have the ability to see what our growth can and will look like.”
According to the announcement from REV, Woodlawn Marketplace is funded by contributions from Regions Financial Corporation and Spire, the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Growing Alabama Tax Credit Program, as well as a $25,000 grant from PNC Bank. Updates on Woodlawn Marketplace vendors and events are available on the market’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
HERE’S A GUIDE TO THE VENDORS AT WOODLAWN MARKETPLACE
Trvl Love Koffee: A boutique online coffee roaster owned by Anita Craig and Chauncey Moore. Trvl Love offers roasted coffee full of flavors that are naturally sweet, chocolatey, floral, citrusy and fruity.
Pearl’s Café: Offers made-to-order breakfast and lunch items for dine in or carry out. Pearl’s will also have grab-and-go selections, baked goods and a special brunch menu on Saturdays.
Bemele Candles: Owned and operated by Melissa Gay and Lee Peoples. Each scent is hand-poured in small batches using soy wax and reusable vessels.
Mattie’s Garden: Run by Jacqueline Jackson, this urban farm in Alabama features organic herbs and vegetables.
SASC Custom Designs: Features custom items and graphic designs, including doormats hand-painted by owner Shareta Collins.
Marsuko Jewelry: Marsuko Jewelry is an eclectic jewelry line created by owner Angela Santiago featuring earrings made from polymer clay.
Change of Plans: A juice brand designed for nutrition and weight loss. Helmed by health coach Chanice Nykole, the line features healthy treats, nutrition guides and an entire line of organic juices.
Soul Sistah 3.0: A shop offering hand painted, custom designed, wood burn earrings and pins from the creative mind of owner Tamica Banks.
SohGent CA’Belle: A local jewelry boutique specializing in earrings, necklaces, and rings crafted with brilliant colored crystals.
Element & Vibe: A t-shirt company owned by Aisha Taylor, the founder of Bridge + Root. The brand’s motto: empowering people and awakening the world one garment at a time.
WE Inc: Sells baking mixes and sprays by providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities.