Page 26 - 2024 Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

Main Street Mercantile
Utilizing a concept called a “small
business collaborative,” - similar to what
many antique stores have embraced for
years - owners Tracy Burba and Shannon
Gross lease space to small businesses who
promote their wares within Main Street
Mercantile.
The unique business model enables the
Mercantile to offer products from more
than 30 vendors. Merchandise includes
gourmet foods, vintage candies, clothing,
shoes, accessories, home décor, plants,
locally made jewelry, and much more.
The collaborative enjoys helping other
businesses expand their footprint and reach
more customers, including Van Buren High
School’s student retail store, Pointer Place.
“The arrangement with Pointer Place
started at the Connecting Educators to
Industry event sponsored by the Chamber,”
Burba explained. “We were able to offer
them a place off campus and with extended
business hours, which were both benefits, Shoppers look for their favorite artist among the records at Iron Horse Records in Downtown
and their merchandise has certainly brought Van Buren. Photo by John Speck
new customers inside our store.”
Main Street Mercantile is located at 412
Main Street. Customers can also learn more
about its vendors and special events on
Facebook, @MainStreetMercantileVB.
Iron Horse Records
The resurgence in popularity of vinyl
records and the variety of musical genres
available on them, convinced owner Denise Hill, O.D.
James Minish to open a vintage record Alex Turner, O.D.
store that caters to audiophiles and www.hillwww.hillvisioncenter.comvisioncenter.com
479-262-2080
those who want to harken back to a day 479-262-2080
when the turntable was a source of great 117 Northridge Drive Van Buren, AR 72956
joy. Located at 610 Main Street, Iron H HRS Mon - Thur 8 - 5, Fri 8 - 2
Thur 8 - 5, Fri 8 - 2
R
Mon -
S
Horse Records includes a main floor and
mezzanine level filled with favorites from Goodbye limits.
big band/jazz to rock to country legends. Hello
“I played in bands when I was a kid, possibilities.
and thought there weren’t any places for
up and coming bands to play in our area,”
Minish said. “My plan was to create a Goodbye nine to five,
venue where musicians of all ages could hello start-up.
play in a family-friendly environment, and
add a record store later. It just turned out Finance and grow a business with digital
tools from Arvest Bank.
I was wrong about the order. There are
no other actual record stores in the River
Valley. The closest one is in Northwest
Arkansas.” arvest.com | arvest.com | (479) 573-1320
Member FDIC Loans subject to credit approval.
26 Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory vanburenchamber.org