Small Businesses Come Together in Shared Space in Uptown Ankeny

At the corner of Walnut and Third Streets in Uptown Ankeny, three favorite, long-time Ankeny businesses have joined forces to create Shops on 3rd. These businesses, The Funky Zebras Boutique, XoXo Gift & Home and Gladdies, joined Uptown Ankeny this past summer. The interview below includes insight into the move and other information on the businesses from Jessica Marcantel, Manager at The Funky Zebras Boutique, Marla Earp, Owner of XoXo Gift & Home, and Barb Wiedenman and Cindy Gordon, Co-Owners of Gladdies.

Read more about Shops on 3rd below:

Shops on 3rd Q+A

What is your business?

Jessica Marcantel: We've always had the motto of we want granddaughter, mom and grandma to be able to shop in the same location. So we are a family business, and we want families to be able to come in and have a great time together. We cater to all age groups, and we pretty much have something for everybody. It's a great thing to see people come in and they can all shop in one location. We sell clothing, jewelry, handbags and seasonal items like beanies and scarves. Under The Funky Zebras umbrella, we have 14 locations. We’re a “franchise,” but don’t require franchise fees and such and instead all work together.

Marla Earp: XoXo started out as “Treasure House” in 1979, and I purchased it from the original owner almost 18 years ago. Five years ago, I rebranded to XoXo Gift & Home just for a little facelift, and now five years later, I’ve moved to this new location. Sometimes in life you have to pivot and go in a different direction.

Barb Widenman and Cindy Gordon: Gladdies started the business two years ago at the Ankeny Downtown Farmers’ Market. We’re the best cakes in Ankeny. We make about 19 different flavors and are continually adding different flavors or switching them out of the case. We’re also always taking suggestions and trying new flavors.

Why did you decide to move to the new Shops on 3rd space?

ME: It’s wonderful because you’ve got three thriving businesses in one. People wondered how we’d fit all three into this building, but it’s a community. I took a business class a year ago after owning a business for 17 years. I thought maybe I should find out what I’m doing. We had to make a growth goal and one of my growth goals was to move to where there’s more community and more events that I can be a part of. My other location was in a strip mall, and it was more of a destination. This is more of an experience. It brings so much joy to see people walking in and experiencing all three businesses in one place.

BW & CG: We were not excited about the idea at first at all. It wasn’t our plan or our idea to open a shop. We were happy doing it as a side job and just having fun with it, but Cheryl at The Funky Zebras Boutique was persistent and wanted us to be part of Shops on 3rd. We wouldn’t have opened our own standalone brick and mortar, but this new concept was enticing.

We all knew each other beforehand and knew we could have fun with Jess and Marla. We all open at the same time — 8 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday — but all close at different times. It’s great to be right next to Porch Light Coffeehouse, so people can grab a coffee, have a cake, do some shopping.

Why would you tell someone to make the stop and experience Shops on 3rd?

ME: It’s fun to come here. It’s like a reunion! It’s not only great shopping, but also an experience and a community. You can meet up with people. It’s a great girls’ place to go!

What has feedback been like for Shops on 3rd?

JM: I love the fact that you can come in, look for an outfit, pick up a gift and also bring home dessert. It’s a one-stop shop now that we’ve joined forces, and everybody is really loving having us all together. We had a lady come in for a birthday gift for a friend and she ended up buying several things for herself, too. (Fall shirts from The Funky Zebras Boutique pictured below.)

 

What are your hopes for Shops on 3rd in its first couple of months?

JM: I hope everyone is able to make it into Shops on 3rd at least once because once you come in and see this, you’ll remember what a great, quick shop it is — it’s easy to run in and get everything that you need!

Check out The Funky Zebras at thefunkyzebrasboutique.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest boutique updates. Go to treasurehousegiftsankeny.com for information on XoXo. Their Facebook page showcases the latest items in the store. Finally, check out the bake shop items at Gladdies at gladdiesbakeshop.com. See the individual cakes offered on the Gladdies Facebook page.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership celebrates the Greater Des Moines (DSM) entrepreneur community and helps small businesses succeed with one-of-a-kind resources and opportunities for networking. Find out how other entrepreneurs have found success by reading their stories and attending local small business events in the region.