Boutique – a store inside the Uptown Forum filled with a colorful array of layerable handmade items that can be mixed and matched with each other or worn separately for a variety of“ bohemian” looks.
“ I’ m so thankful for people loving my hippie bohemian gypsy country style,” Harris said.“ Rebel Marys is named after my momma. Her name is Mary, and after a divorce she went a little wild. Hence the‘ rebel’ part. She had a lot of fun getting to know herself again.
“ We always talked about opening up a place where women could shop and have fun, so Rebel Marys became a reality,” she added.
While both Holland and Harris bolster their businesses with online engagement and sales, some others prefer to focus solely on the old school“ mom and pop” feel of doing business in person. One such business owner is Scott VanHorne of Vandango Vintage Vinyl & Video – a store which, despite its size, contains a diverse range of LPs, CDs, cassette tapes that span from popular classic rock, R & B and country albums to limited vinyl pressings of current indie artists.
“ All of my interaction is faceto-face and heart-to-heart, because people love having the rare opportunity to talk about and find music they love,” VanHorne said.
“ It’ s also good having this here, because when touring acts come to town to perform at the GMA or to downtown events like Lee Street Jamboree, a lot of times the artists themselves and the people who came to see them will stop by the store,” he added.
Another thing that many shoppers will find appealing about shopping local is the passion that store owners bring to the experience.
“ I don’ t think I could go back to a‘ regular job,’ because I’ m doing what I love, so even when I’ m struggling, I’ m happy,” Holland said.
“ Also, since its what I truly want to do, I don’ t really feel like I’ m going to work so work-life balance isn’ t really something I think about because it all runs together,” Holland added with a chuckle.
For those interested in exploring what local retailers have to offer, a good place to start is the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’ s business directory at https:// tinyurl. com / 2zts7t2p. adults’ faces light up when they find something that unlocks core memories and gives them some joy,” Holland said.
And while Holland enjoys interacting with customers of all ages in person, he also spreads awareness of his store through live-streamed tours of its shelves, where people from around the world can see its stock of collectible limited edition and vintage toys.
We do a lot of streaming to give updates on what we’ ve got in the store, so people can look and say,‘ Oh, I want that,” Holland said.
Another local retailer who can often be seen intently engaging with customers, whether it’ s in person, over the phone or through her online store is Tammy Harris of Rebel Marys
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