Sep 17, 2009

Two businesses, one storefront: Cheaper and more convenientBy Bob HollidayPantagraph.com

Bloomington — Florist Shari Marley wanted to be on the east side of Bloomington but couldn’t afford the rent. Her solution? Share space with another business.

“We’re still paying more than we were in downtown, but it’s doable because we’re sharing,” Marley said.

Thus, the sign at 2303 E. Washington St. says “Florist and Tailor,” advertising both Shari’s Happily Ever After Florist & Gift Shop and Nonie’s Tailor Shop.

Both had been in separate downtown storefronts until they began sharing space in late 2005. They’ve found it’s not only cheaper, but convenient.

“A customer might come in and say ‘Can you match the flowers to the dress,'” Marley said. “It’s a good synergy. We feed off each other.”

Owner Nonie Kummer agrees. “It’s worked out great,” she said, but “you wouldn’t want to get two businesses together that wouldn’t help each other.”

The tailor and florist shops, for instance, can share customers who are planning weddings, proms and homecomings.

There’s a similar synergy in uptown Normal, where Patrick Cullen, owner of Washburn Flowers, 111 W. North St., shares space with Natural Mystic, a soap and candle store.

“We’ve been doing it about 15 months and it’s working out well,” said Cullen, explaining Natural Mystic owner Deby Ciacciarelli needed space and he had it to spare.

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