Nov. 4, 2022

Meghan Anderson and Jaime Meyer met through their church, became friends, shopped each other’s small businesses and now have taken things a step further.

The two women have rented space on 41st Street near Marion Road and opened Mulberry Market, which they describe as a “small-business shopping experience.”

“It’s kind of a craft show all year-round,” Anderson said. “We’re bringing small businesses together for just a really fun shopping experience.”

The 24 vendors inside Mulberry Market offer everything from handmade to boutique, baby blankets to Christmas decor, door hangers to bath and body items and lots of jewelry, she said.

“We want to support small businesses, and this is a great way for us to do that,” Anderson said. “We’re a family-friendly store. We’re better when we bring others together. We can be together in one location that helps customers shop.”

Meyer is a native of Sioux Falls who now lives in Brandon. Anderson grew up in a military family and moved a lot growing up. She moved to Sioux Falls about 15 years ago and graduated from Southeast Technical College.

They individually started their businesses during the pandemic, looking for something to do. That also is the case for many of their vendors, who needed a creative outlet while social activities were restricted.

“Jaime and I both like to stay busy, not sit around,” Anderson said. “Seeing our businesses flourish, we thought, then what else can we do? How can we make this better?”

Leadership and growing and supporting other small businesses and the community are passions of both women, Anderson said.

The Mulberry Market concept started about a year ago. Anderson and Meyer were talking about how they were outgrowing their spaces in their homes and wanted a storefront for their businesses. Through her business, Tiny Sparrow Designs, Anderson makes T-shirts, custom graphics, wood signs and other items. Meyer’s Mimi’s Boutique sells children’s clothing.

“We got the idea that we could have other businesses in our store to supplement the rent,” Anderson said. “It took about a year of searching and figuring things out. We decided on a place, and in less than 60 days we were open. We did all of the work ourselves.”

At 5303 E. 41st St., Mulberry Market is occupying the former Budget Blinds location, which has moved to 828 S. Highline Place at Dawley Farm Village. Mulberry Market is holding its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday. Regular business hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For every $10 a customer spends during the grand opening, they will receive a ticket that can go to a raffle prize of their choosing.

After the holidays, the co-owners plan several other events to draw in customers. That will include small businesses that don’t want to a full-time space and direct-sales businesses.

Currently, Mulberry Market has a waiting list of 30 to 40 small businesses interested in participating in Anderson and Meyer’s vision. Interested small businesses can fill out an application at Mulberry Market’s website.

Jaime Meyer and Meghan Anderson

Adding more businesses would mean moving to a larger location. Currently, Mulberry Market has about 3,600 square feet, including a workshop that doubles as an office. Or, it would mean the departure of some of the current vendors, and Anderson and Meyer don’t want that to happen either.

“We have the best vendors. Everyone is hardworking, creative and compassionate about what they do,” Anderson said. “They are — I wouldn’t say perfectionists — but they do like things a certain way, making sure things are right. They’re wonderful to work with, and they follow the rules in compliance with their contracts. We’re getting to be friends.”