Jim Fair
Kendra Glenn, right, and vendor Tracy Brandon get together for a photo today at the Shoppes On Trade. Glenn was explaining plans to add more artisan vendors and a small deli and spa services.
Jim Fair
The Shoppes On Trade will be the fourth business in the 20 years since Ramere has owned the building – Image Marketing, Trade Street Executive Center, Pumponator and the Shoppes.
Jim Fair
Donna Ramere, Glenn’s mother, did a complete renovation, at 211 Trade Street, shortly after the invention of the worldwide toy hit Pumponator Balloon Pumping Station by Lexi Glenn. The then fourth grader, Lexi, is the daughter of Glenn and granddaughter of Ramere.
Kendra Glenn, whose family owns the building they renovated, will run the vendor-oriented business and is entertaining adding a deli and space for spa service.
Wanda Garcia resigned as general manager of The Shoppes at The Grapevine. She brought the name from her previous location and will retain its ownership.
Garcia, in an email to GreerToday.com, said she will concentrate on destination shopping events that have proved successful the past 18 months. Also in the works is a fall antiques and artisans show in Greer. “I considered moving once again, but I was really getting tired of the whole idea of running a business,” Garcia wrote.
“We wish Wanda well in her future endeavors,” Glenn said.
Glenn’s first order of business is to change the color scheme of the signage to black and gold, colors that represent Greer High School.
Extending days/hours and recruiting new vendors to fill space vacated by former boutique businesses the past couple of days is ongoing. The Shoppes will be open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Friday’s hours are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. to accommodate the added traffic the restaurants bring to downtown.
“Nothing will change aesthetically. We’re seeking new vendors, more artisans like pottery, glass, costume jewelry and custom clothing,” Glenn said. “We want to have unique handcrafted items and we want to get bigger and better.”
Glenn said a deli, still a work in progress, would feature bistro-style and gluten free offerings. A kitchen is located in the rear of the store. A spa, Glenn said, would offer massages and D-Tox foot services.
Offering classes, like painting, has been an idea Glenn and Tracy Brandon, a vendor, has discussed. “We want to bring people here and have them get to know Greer,” Glenn said.
Glenn is familiar with the décor and history of the store. Donna Ramere, Glenn’s mother, did a complete renovation, shortly after the invention of the worldwide toy hit Pumponator Balloon Pumping Station by Lexi Glenn. The then fourth grader, Lexi, is the daughter of Glenn and granddaughter of Ramere.
Ramere relocated the business to Florida and Glenn handled the contracts from Greer.
The Shoppes On Trade will be the fourth business in the 20 years since Ramere has owned the building. Image Marketing, Trade Street Executive Center, Pumponator and the Shoppes have occupied the building.
Vendors, chefs/restaurant personnel may contact Glenn at 469-9885 or [email protected].