New Biz on the Block
by Cate Murway
Mill Street, the principal commercial street in Bristol, has always been devoted to small retail shops.
A cluster of distinctive eclectic mix specialty shops and eating venues serving up the best fare around, await you along the main tree-lined thoroughfare of historic Bristol, a sweetheart in Bucks County, PA!
The olde time atmosphere shops feature courteous, knowledgeable and accommodating sales staff, close to shop parking and fabulous selections.
It’s hard to believe such a small, walkable town, primed to once again realize its potential, could have so much to offer, from shopping to food, to cultural arts.
The river views and a white gazebo in the middle of Lion’s Park that could have been lifted straight from a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is awe inspiring, to say the least.
It is indeed a charming step back in time with the kind of touches that makes small towns so appealing and the experience is delightful.
What’s not to like?
There’s a new biz on the block. The high-visibility 11,000 square foot building erected by Thomas Profy in 1928, once the J.G. McCrory’s 5&10 Cent Variety Store at the corner of Mill and Wood Streets, has just opened as The Mill Street Market Place.
Historic Bristol along the restored magical riverfront has been named by Philadelphia Magazine as one of Bucks County's "Next Hot Neighborhoods".
We strive to bring community together in an atmosphere that’s fresh, exciting and fun.
Come be bedazzled!
It's a "Hi, neighbor" kind of town. The location, people and character in an unspoiled setting untouched by time with friendliness in copious supply, allows you to get away for the day without having to spend all day getting there.
You'll feel as if you've had a mini vacation!
It's a joy to stroll through the borough and drop the hustle-bustle for a day.
Slow your pace for a few hours, browse the shops, visit the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library & Museum, and enjoy some lunch or tea.
Make a day of it!
Search through the treasure trove of affordable goods and services at the all-new marketplace. It is not a flea market and they are not high priced stores.
Ready for a tad of a tour?
All of these places are fantastic.
Pedro and Frances Mercedes own “Its & Bits” with a vast assortment of quality style leather bags and designer inspired [affordable with the same great look for a fraction of the cost] Alba and Emperia purses and clutches.
Their “Art Unbound Apparel” presents water based, non-toxic, environmentally and eco-friendly painted unique and original designs on American made shirts. This clothing company features artwork by an Art Institute of Philadelphia graduate, their son, Jose Andres "Art-Unbound" Mercedes. http://cargocollective.com/josemercedes
Great prices for incredible originals:
$20.00 t-shirt, $35.00 hoodie, combination t-shirt & hoodie $50.00 or two t-shirts $35.00.
Keep going…. There is plenty more to see and enjoy. Don't miss any of these!
Lara's Salon is all about hair fashion and haircuts for the entire family. Services also include the latest in hair trends, hair treatments, and color and wax styling.
Clendaniel Fence Company has firmly believed that “good fences make good neighbors” since 1982. The Clendaniel Fence Company provides high security fencing, ornamental wrought iron, and traditional wood fencing to all the good neighbors throughout PA.
Check out “Xcessorize”. Go ahead, walk a mile in their shoes! Owner Stacey Forry and store manager, landscaper Anthony Mandarano will assist you in making the perfect choice of footwear from their tons of styles of women’s shoes, including heels and flats, comfy and colorful crocs, and classy sandals.
Enhance your wardrobe with a unique woman's “Hustler” muscle tee tank shirt, a warm weather essential, and “xcessorize” with “young at heart” upscale & trendy bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Don’t forget socks! 267.981.1143
Lisa Gerrity Gardineer and her mother, Bristol Borough resident,
Paula Ann Wagner want to share their
‘love of antiques, crafting and making things’
in “The Hidden Attic”.
They saw the Mill Street Market Place as a perfect opportunity because they “always see the possibilities in things.”
Their goal is to “put out the best homemade and refurbished items out there.”
Paula and Lisa sell furniture, antiques, crafts, country decor, candles and quality decorator items.
Try the homemade mixed berry, pepper and pomegranate jams and jellies. They are just lovely for breakfast toast and biscuits and perfect for their homemade breads. 267.981.4719
Mention this article for 10% off your purchase.
Trek into “Taylor's Country Store & Crafts”, named for 9-year-old entrepreneur, Taylor Lynne, creator of the colorful silk flower hair barrettes, clips and headbands sold there. She is the daughter of the shop owners, Charles and Jeannie Stamets who also generously stock the wall shelves with jars of hot salsa, assorted jams, peanut butter spreads, kids’ warm blankets, denim bags and books to read. Great little store!
The “Half Price Stationery & Gift Outlet” offers a special on 'Pen & Paper'.
Mention this article and you'll get a 5x7 writing tablet and ballpoint pen for only 59¢ and you still get 50% off that price! Limit 1 per family, please.
Check out the picture frames and backpacks while you are there. 609.790.1000
Marie Wolfe and her almost-daughter, a Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College student, Samantha Heil are the proprietors of the “Home Sweet Home Bakery”.
The variety of freshly baked products look amazingly enticing and the people who run it couldn't be sweeter!
DR BOB COMPUTERS and Cutlery offers new and refurbished computers and parts.
The cutlery assortment includes a wide selection of pocketknives and hunting knives for superior durability and craftsmanship. No sword collection is complete without at least one quality fantasy sword and one of them comes with a pink cap! 215.206.5909
The Mill Street Market Place has an exceptional diverse array of participating vendors that populate this year-round indoor market. Browse the entire building for incredible high quality values. This is a "don't miss", perfectly quaint market stop.
Meet the friendly merchants at Mignoni Jewelry and Gifts [and then visit their store at 200 Mill Street], JoMarie's Boutique & Gift Shop, Twice the Charm Second Hand Boutique, Passanante Prime Steaks [and then visit their store at 2092 Farragut Avenue], Janis Van Sant Originals, Midnight Angel Clothing, Bath Fitters, Vecchia Italian Specials, Keystone Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Bass Brothers Produce.
The Mill Street Market Place is definitely worth the stop. What a treat!
Come early and make a day of it - good merchandise sells fast!!
There are still a few indoor market locations available for just $75.00/per week.
Nick Marino creates uniquely designed areas to suit his vendors' needs.
Call Nick for a great space for your place- 215.949.7900.
The Mill Street Market Place
Corner of Wood and Mill Streets
245-247 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
THURS 11 - 6
FRI 11 - 7
SAT 9 - 6
SUN 11 – 4
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Come celebrate at The Mill Street Market Place!
An Egg Hunt is a time-honored tradition that always delights the children, and even the parents who remember hunting for eggs when they were young. Now it is their turn again!
The Mill Street Market Place at the corner of Mill and Wood Streets is providing EGG-citement for all ages.
Joanne Marie Ryn, proprietor of “Jo Marie's Boutique & Gift Shop” helped to co-ordinate the mini-mall shop owners’ event ideas and to provide plastic eggs for the Easter celebration this Saturday, April 16th from noon –3:00PM.
Free gift certificates and percent off coupons will be placed carefully in the colorful eggs available at the main entrance.
Joanne Ryn’s selections of reasonably priced unique handbags, caps and hats, and her sister, Linda Marie’s artwork classically entice all generations.
Her daughter/business associate, Danielle Marie added, “Good quality merchandise at an affordable price. A lot of it is one of a kind.”
The vendors of The Mill Street Market Place aspire to bring community together in an atmosphere that’s fresh, exciting and fun, and delicious.
You are invited to join the festivities and enjoy an assortment of bakery products, buttery popcorn, fresh fruit, and homemade jams and jellies. Face painting and music, too.
Bring your camera. The Easter Bunny just may make a guest appearance and if he hops into town, you won’t want to miss out.
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Marketing Mindset on Mill Street
by Cate Murway
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet “Hat” Ross Tubman [1822-1913]
Women entrepreneurs make excellent leaders. They are passionate and driven, inspiring others with their enthusiasm, intelligence, and determination and they are prospering in business more than ever before. Qualities women have always possessed such as communication skills, self-awareness, and big-picture thinking are now giving women an edge, bringing them entrepreneurial success beyond their wildest dreams.
These Mill Street entrepreneurs have dispensed with any romantic rags-to-riches notions and they approach things pragmatically, boasting excellent products and services.
They are innovatively moving their dreams and their projects forward. They have permitted their non-conformist style and their penchant to break convention stand out amongst the rest.
Let's hear it for these woman entrepreneurs with their unflappable courage and extraordinary brilliance......... entrepreneurs are trailblazers.
They are proving that what they can see is limited but what they can create is endless. Here’s to successful non-conformity and the joy of not just following a corporate doctrine! The keys to success are hard work, passion, drive, and a little luck.
The USA has been based on entrepreneurial ideas and actions and it is in times like these that Americans will show their true colors.
A movement of millions of entrepreneurs and innovators have made and continue to make historic Bristol on the Delaware and all of America great.
The U.S. economy can have a sustained recovery if enough of us are willing to follow our dreams.
"Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take OFF!
But if you don't have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel
and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after you."
~Amelia Earhart [1897 -1937]
[Amelia remains a symbol of the power and perseverance of American women, and the adventurous spirit so essential to the American persona.]
The Mill Street Market Place, home of the enterprising young women on the corner of Wood and Mill Streets, is a unique 1-stop shopping experience including exceptional clothing and jewelry finds. The perfect find, of loads of color and feminine flourishes done within reason, awaits you!
Is your closet filled with peaches and grays, while new seasonal merchandise seems saturated with jewel tones? Make a stop at “Encounters” of the right kind for ladies trendy, thrifty fashions!
You can economically update your wardrobe to one that really resonates with color and pop and vibrancy, assuring that you always have the right thing to wear.
Dress up a classic suit with a chic and stylish or sophisticated fitted dress shirt, blouse or top; few things rival these investment pieces with more elegant ease, perfect for work or a night out. Some selections are geared toward a working-woman’s reality that often entails day-to-night transitions and travel. 215.429.0826
Need shoes? Match your outfit right there at “Xcessorize”. Owner Stacey Forry and store manager, landscaper Anthony Mandarano will gladly assist you in making the just right choice of footwear from their stylish assortment of women’s shoes, including heels and flats, comfy and colorful crocs, and classy sandals.
There are savings on top of savings for your perusal! Enhance your wardrobe and your innovative ensembles will bag lots of compliments! 267.981.1143
“Encounters” gallery /shop owner, Miriam Vidot includes pleasant surprises in her shop, perfect for last minute gifts. Seasonal choices include Garden Kit sets with a trowel, seeds and gloves and festive vintage inspired ladies floppy summer hats. Or give your table centerpieces another dimension with handmade scented soft tapioca wood flowers while you are waiting for yours to grow!
Her shop walls are decked with expressive artwork by Linda Marie, the sister of Joanne Marie Ryn, proprietor of “Jo Marie's Boutique & Gift Shop” and visual watercolor celebrations of the profoundly historic structures that grace the borough. Local celebrated artist, Joseph [Joe] Sagolla, has been immortalizing Bristol Borough for over 35 years.
Need jewelry to complete your outfit? Bling or novelty, everything from handmade iced- out Swarovski crystal pendants to rings, bracelets, earrings and a custom selection of Philadelphia Phillies jewelry are among the selections. Softball/track/basketball/field hockey athlete, Janis Van Sant, proprietor of Janis Van Sant Originals, “loves making jewelry”. Her late artist grandmother who owned her own potter’s wheel and pottery kiln inspired her, so crafting is in her genes.
You’ll find that the accessory options are endless here. Beaded name bracelets make a perfect unforgettable keepsake infant or little girl gift, and crystal earrings can be crafted to exactly match a prom gown or a dress for a wedding. 215.431.2604
Make your next stop at “Twice the Charm Second Hand Boutique”. Bristol resident MonaLisa Metellus Henry has a terrific selection of high quality, reasonably priced new and repurposed infant and toddler and women clothing. Selections of cute cool trendsetting summer frocks and dresses grace the racks, along with designer sundresses and jeans, jackets and capris that classically entice all generations.
Sunglasses, headbands and purses can complete the look. twicethecharm@live.com
Meet the entrepreneurs. Come early and make a day of it - good merchandise sells fast!
Visit historic Bristol on the Delaware for another healthy dose of small town America.
Miriam will be hosting a Vision Art Exhibit at her “Encounters” shop/gallery, incorporating art, music, fashion and food on June 11, 2011 at 245 Mill Street.
Artists and visitors reception will be from 5:00PM- 7:00 PM. Cover charge is $5.00.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the local chapter of the No-Pay CoPay Fund.
Thanks to the generosity of area residents and the proceeds from fundraisers such as this one, area cancer patients who struggle with the out-of-pocket costs of treatment can now receive assistance.
The Mill Street Market Place
Corner of Wood and Mill Streets
245-247 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
THURS 11 - 6
FRI 11 - 7
SAT 9 - 6
SUN 11 – 4
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
Encounters
Xcessorize
Twice the Charm
Janis Van Sant Originals
