By Christopher Harris
It ’ s a Bazaar Universe . And over the last couple years , it ’ s gotten even bigger .
Those strolling down East Mt . Vernon Street in downtown Somerset — recently reclaiming its status as a hub of local activity in the community after decades of relative dormancy — have probably noticed the colorful sign or the curiosities in the windows . Inside , there ’ s even more to discover .
Located right next to the now-bustling Virginia Theater , a Bazaar Universe has found a home in the historic downtown storefront after starting out as a more nomadic business model , the brainchild of Somerset ’ s Jade Ellis and current Michigan resident Delia Williams .
Ellis is originally from McCreary County , but came to Somerset to go to Somerset Community College out of high school , around 2003 . She moved away for a year , and came back for a couple of years , and then hit the road again — seemingly for good .
“ I started really traveling ; I ’ d just stop and live somewhere for a while ,” said Ellis .
On one of her stops in Hawaii , she met Williams , and the two quickly bonded over their similar perspectives and plotted ways to travel together . A year later , in 2011 , they were going to music festivals and volunteering , and would stop at secondhand stores along the way , making great finds that they would repair and put their own touches on . The more shows they went to , the more their work got noticed .
“ People kept wanting to buy the things we were wearing ,” said Ellis . “ We also had a costume tent set up at our camp . We said anyone can play dress-up with us , but you have to bring the clothes back at the end of the event . People were wanting to buy the clothes . There became a market for it .”
The two decided to try becoming vendors for their work , and would “ just see what happens .” So every show , Ellis and Williams would try to make their stuff a little better , make the booth better , and make a “ more inclusive experience for everyone .” They set about making clothes people could buy and still do so eight years later — jackets , hoodies , shirts , armwarmers . Most all of them colorful , with a distinct Bohemian vibe and stand-out-in-a-crowd flair .
For years , A Bazaar Universe existed only at big events and music festivals , like Bonnaroo in Tennessee or Electric Forest in Michigan — or online at abazaaruniverse . com .
Ellis said the concept of an actual brick-and-mortar location had rattled around in her mind for years , but in 2020 , everything changed . “ When Covid hit , all the festivals got canceled ,” said Ellis . One by one , all the regular events Ellis and Williams counted on attending each year disappeared off the schedule . With them went the bulk of A Bazaar Universe ’ s revenue stream . Ellis first turned to making masks at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis , but something had to be done to save A Bazaar Universe .
The answer , as it turned out , was right in front of her . Ellis already operated a sewing studio at Flashback Theater Co ., the building at the intersection of College and East Mt . Vernon Streets that used to house Somerset City Hall . Ellis set up shop in the then-mostly unused space at the corner of the building and gave A Bazaar Universe its first home , fulfilling Ellis ’ dream of offering a taste of your average festival ’ s vendor
June 2023 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 41