A new location, an all-hands-on-deck move, and the promise of new business in Gordon Square. By Abigail Kussow
Head to 5218 Detroit Ave. on Sunday, August 27 for a sneak preview of the popular clothing boutique Yellowcake Shop’s new and soon-to-be-improved flagship location.
What To Expect
Sunday’s soft launch is cozying up to all things brunch. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Gordon Square space, previously occupied by Breit’s Kitchen and Baths, will be host to the ultimate brunch-themed shopping experience. Celebrating community and style, the day’s festivities will showcase a range of small business brands and local vendors such as Domo Yakitori and Sushi, Vitiman Kandie Vegan Restaurant and Herbal Store and Sweet Bean. As for Yellowcake, they know there’s nothing sweeter than snagging your favorite fashion trends at a lower price, which is why the soft launch will also feature exclusive discounts on your favorite clothes and accessories.
Tickets to the event are on sale for $5, which allows you access to all attending locally-owned beauty and fashion brands within the community that will be housed alongside Yellowcake at 5218 Detroit Ave. to form a hub of small business this fall.
What’s In Store
Is a collection of storefront businesses really coming this fall? You heard right. Yellowcake owner and head designer Valerie Mayen wants to make it clear that Sunday’s soft launch is just the beginning.
“Imagine Crocker Park and Etsy had a baby,” says Mayen when detailing plans for the new location. She is on a mission to help showcase locally-made products with a focus on brands owned by women and persons of color.
“The business as a whole is going to be called ‘El Corazon’ which means ‘the heart’ in Spanish. We’re dubbing it the hub of local, small business in Gordon Square because it really is going to be such a source of love, community, and fun.”
Why It’s A Soft Launch
In a few words? The space is still under construction. “We had to white box the front room for now, which is where a nail salon and the retail shops are going to go permanently. [Yellowcake] will eventually be housed in the back part of the building,” says Mayen.
This means that until the back-end portion of the building is complete, Yellowcake will be temporarily existing in the front. “It’s like a holding place for all of us for the time being,” Mayen states.
The space’s architects will be in attendance at Sunday’s soft launch to provide mini tours of the unfinished portions of the building for curious patrons and excited newcomers. “It’s going to be pretty raw,” laughs Mayen before mentioning, “The front space is nice and neat now with air conditioning, white walls, and new flooring. It’s the back area that’s still a giant old kitchen and cabinet-looking space.”
For set-up and decor, Mayen has her sights on some cool new aesthetic features. “We’re going to have a rooftop deck with solar panels because we’re trying to take as many steps as we can towards being as green as possible. We’ll also have an outdoor patio where we’ll be hosting a lot of upcoming events and bringing in some fresher takes on our familiar aesthetic design from our old location at 78th Street.”
Save The Date
Saturday, September 23 will be the space’s official grand opening. In honor of the year’s box-office titan movie Barbie, the formal launch will be pinked out and Barbie-themed with food trucks, an ongoing movie screening, and a drag show with hosts giving out all sorts of event-only prizes. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” shares Mayen. “We’ll be offering different tiers of tickets for the day. You can buy a ticket that includes a mini manicure, a ticket that includes all food and beverages and a manicure, general admission tickets, and so much more. It’s really going to be an opening that has something for everybody.”
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