Agora Market: Eight in one
From soy lotion candles to a jack-in-the-box, Agora Market is a go-to for adventurous teenagers. Open for business for over two years at 165 S Main St. Suite 101, Agora Market serves as a storefront for eight independent businesses, including New Creation and Broad Porch Coffee.
“It’s a fun place to be able to shop, especially in the summer,” said Christina Swecker, volunteer coordinator and shop manager of New Creation, a non-profit selling fair-trade products to help fight sex trafficking. “You can be out of the heat, all in one place, and check out a bunch of different things.” New Creation sells clothes, cards, candles and more, offering a variety of fair-trade products.
Agora Market is home to several businesses, each helping to grow business for each other.
“We work together to help each other out, and bring customers in the door,” said Paul Hansbarger, owner and founder of Lineage, which offers a line of canvas and leather bags, as well as other products that may be desired by teens, such as art and records.
These new customers include teenagers wanting to impact the world. “People come here that want to make a difference, and to buy products that help them live a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Allie Emerick, owner of Bring Your Own, a shop supporting a low-waste, sustainable lifestyle. Stores like Bring Your Own have been trending on the internet, adding to the business received by the store. “The internet has helped spur on an environmentalist trend, a lot of people come in with the idea of ‘oh, metal straws, how exciting,’ and that goes on and becomes more habitual,” said the shop assistant, Clare Whelen.
The store provides an open atmosphere, welcoming to teens who want to relax and feel welcome. “It’s a safe space,” said Amelia Schmid, a barista at Broad Porch Coffee.
These aren’t the only attractions for teens in the Agora Market. The variety of merchandise is a pride taken by the venders in Agora. “There’s a just a lot of variety, and there’s stuff for everyone,” said Amelia Schmid, a barista at Broad Porch Coffee. Other stores inside Agora include Charlee Rose Boutique, Fluffy Fannies, Heartworn Vintage and the Isle Co. “Everyone can find something,” Schmid said.