Mercato Italian for 'market' and the Minervini's retail dream While mall stores fight for customers largely on price and downtowns are trying creative, new events to lure customers to their shopping districts, the Minervinis believe they're on the right retail track. The Mercato is located along a corridor  on the lower level of Building 50 at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. The formula has been simple: start small, offer modest-sized spaces for modest rents, and go for the eclectic (vendors include a manners instructor, an art gallery and a soap shop).
Ballet teacher Melinda Baker, who spent years in Europe and a decade in New York, appreciates the eclectic, and sees a cosmopolitan sensibility in The Mercato.
“You come here, you stroll around between the one of a kind shops, you feel the history, and yes, you could be in any international city in the world, but you’re right here.”
That’s the type of customer Jake Keenan and Colin Campbell say the store where they work, Boutique a la vie, attracts. The upscale shop offering one of a kind women’s clothing opened in May and the brother shop for men, Neo Man, just had its grand opening on Friday. The opening coincided with The Mercato’s annual Ladies Shopping Night and the pale brick retail corridor was packed with Christmas shoppers, authors displaying their books for a group book-signing, food samples from local restaurants, and live music.
This kind of cultural immersion is exactly what Ray Minervini and his development team envisioned: a place to meet, greet, dine, and shop. Some seventy retail outlets now operate in the piazza type facility, according to Mini Minervini, with twenty of those having opened in just the past 18 months.
“You can get a massage here, shop for gifts, have lunch or  dinner, look at art, and enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee,” Mini Minervini said Friday night, while she chatted with friends and visited with authors.
The retail mix also contributes to the larger purpose: building a self-contained community on the 63-acre Commons property. When the Christmas shopping season is past here, you can hire legal services, work out, buy a floral arrangement, plan a wedding, get your taxes done and even go to church.
If you're looking for a reason to check out the scene, here are two: tomorrow night, The Mercato will host "Men's Night Last Call" from 5-9pm, promising "manly beverages, snacks, and free gift wrapping." And on Wed., January 27, the TCBN will host its first after-work "Recess" party of the year at The Mercato from 5-8pm. | W2D Mon., Dec. 21, 7pm, 1st Annual Unsilent Night at Left Foot Charley in TC. Details here.
Mon., Dec. 21, 7:30pm, Trillium Quartet performs a Baroque to Jazz Christmas concert at the TC Library.
Tues., Dec. 22, 5-7pm, Frankfort Elberta Area Chamber Business After Hours at Bayside Printing (515 Main) in Frankfort.
Tues., Dec. 22, 5-9pm, Men’s Night at The Village at GT Commons.
Wed., Dec. 23, 4:30-7pm, Latin dance w/ Rojo Loco at Crema in TC.
Sat., Dec. 26, Triple-feature silent movie at the Music House Museum in Acme. Info here.
Tues., Dec. 29, 8pm, Free screening of “Youth in Revolt” at the Garden Theater in Frankfort. Scenes shot in Frankfort and around Michigan. Tkts available now. Details here.
Wed., Dec. 30, 3-6pm, Blood drive at the Father Fred Foundation (826 Hastings) in TC.
Thurs., Dec. 31, Cherry-T Ball Drop in downtown TC. Info here | | |
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