- May 5, 2024
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Poppy's True Market, at 802 E. Moody Blvd., in Bunnell, has nine shops including antiques, a plant store and greenhouse, a hair salon and esthetician, art studios, a yoga studio and soon, a coffee shop. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Chelsea Barney Herbert with her children Truett and Poppy Jane inside Poppy's True Market. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Abigail Hald works full time at Poppy's True Market. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Yoga instructor Erin McNaughton. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Marilyn Leverton's art studio at Poppy's True Market. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Chelsea Barney Herbert with her children Poppy Jane and Truett inside Poppy's True Market. Photo by Brent Woronoff
When Chelsea Barney Herbert was growing up in Bunnell, she would ride her bike past the large two-story house at 802 E. Moody Blvd. and dream about buying it someday.
“Even as a little kid, I loved this house,” she said.
In August, Herbert did buy the 10-bedroom home, but not to live in. The 4,110-square foot building, which was most recently the home of the Salvo Art Project, is zoned for single family residence and also for commercial.
It is now Poppy’s True Market, named after her two young children, daughter Poppy Jane and son Truett. The market, which opened on March 25, is home to nine shops, all owned by women.
It’s become an opportunity for women to take a leap into a brick and mortar space.”
— CHELSEA BARNEY HERBERT
“It was unintentional that it wound up being all women businesses,” Herbert said. “It’s become an opportunity for women to take a leap into a brick and mortar space. The smaller spaces (300 to 700 square feet) are more palatable. It's more affordable.”
At least three of the women have full-time jobs, including Herbert who is vice president of 4C’s Trucking and Excavation.
“We’re all multi-tasking. We're all moms or grandmas. We’re marketing for each other, sharing customers and clients, promoting one another. It's almost like a think tank,” Herbert said.
Herbert refurbished the building, maintaining the character of the 1930s-era home and placing antiques throughout. What was known as the big yellow house is now white.
Each of the business owners pay rent for their space. They share one point of sale. The house keeps a small percentage of sales. Abigail Hald is the market’s full-time manager.
Herbert runs an antique shop. Her mom, Christine Barney, has a vintage store, selling clothing and housewares. Her mother’s merchandise is a little more eclectic, Herbert said.
Ashleigh Caroe has a plant store with the house’s back porch serving as a greenhouse. Sculptor Marilyn Leverton has an art studio. Christina Katsolis has a photography studio. Katsolis is the programming director at the Southeast Museum of Photography at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach. Valerie Namen has an art studio and instructs art classes.
Jessica Steckert runs the Busy Bee Salon, which has an adjoining space for an esthetician. Whitney Andrews owns a yoga studio where instructor Erin McNaughton teaches some yoga classes.
There is also a rental space where, on a recent Thursday morning, a science instructor was teaching a class for homeschooled children, ages 3 to 8. Parents sat with the children.
“It’s a monthly class, a good opportunity for the kids to socialize,” said Herbert, whose children were participating in the class. The space is also used for tutoring and art classes, she said.
In the second week of May, Herbert is planning to add a coffee shop, which will have coffee to go. Eventually she wants to add a deck where people can sit at tables. She also has plans to add a clothing boutique.
When the house was put up for sale, Herbert said, she thought, “I don’t know what I’m going to do there, but I have to buy this.”
It all came together rather quickly and organically, she said. She wanted to bring a different energy to downtown Bunnell. She decided to open an unconventional market with art as its hub.
“I think the mashup of art and antiques is a good one,” she said. “In my opinion, antiques and interior design are their own form of art.”
Through a news blast from the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, which has since dissolved, and some social media posts, Herbert reached capacity with a waiting list in 45 days.
“I think that speaks to the need for this in Bunnell. I also think the women who came on board trusted my vision,” she said.
And now she may have set a neighborhood trend. Since she bought and renovated the property, two other homes nearby have been renovated, she said.
Hopefully, Herbert said, it will lead to more renovation and revitalization in downtown Bunnell.
