MORTAR recently opened its first retail location, Pause, focused on different aspects of alternative wellness. The name encourages consumers to take a moment and “pause” to focus on their personal health and wellbeing. MORTAR celebrated the new storefront’s grand opening on Friday, February 14 at the Short Vine location.
Pause is a unique collective of several different entrepreneurs and their businesses under one roof, including:
Matunda Juicery offers fresh cold-pressed juices by Timothy Harris
Perfect Touch Helps provides massage services and body oils by Lolitha Perry
Diamyn's Crystal Bar sells crystals, stones, hosts mediation and wellness classes and makes custom jewelry by Diamyn Rembert
District 78 offers plants, handmade candles and candle making events by Erikka Gray
The four business owners all graduated from MORTAR, a 15-week Entrepreneurship Academy and resource hub that helps minority entrepreneurs build their business and equips them with the best tools possible. MORTAR co-founders Allen Woods, Derrick Braziel and William Thomas II wanted to expand their offering and create a brick and mortar space to better support their alumni network. The idea grew from the understanding that affordability is a huge barrier to entry for many of their graduates, and representation is critical in many developing neighborhoods.
The long-awaited grand opening featured light bites and demonstrations and informational sessions from the four entrepreneurs. Roughly 75 people attended to learn more about the location and its offerings.
“I think this success can increase opportunities for more entrepreneurs to get involved. I would love to see more entrepreneurs get together and develop collective spaces because I think it increases the foot traffic for all businesses,” said Tim Barr, MORTAR Community Outreach & Expansion Manager. “I think it works well with that kind of one-stop-shop model.”
Business owner Diamyn Rembert completed MORTAR’s program in June 2019. She heard about the program through friends and was able to turn her love of jewelry and crystals into a business through her work with MORTAR.
“Learning what it means to be a successful entrepreneur to manage and own your own business has been really, really helpful,” said Rembert. “Hearing how amazing MORTAR had been from other entrepreneurs in the city and then having the experience for myself, I'm really glad I was able to be a part of it. Now I’m able to collaborate with people that I would not have even known had they not connected us.”
The store is located in Uptown in the Short Vine business district near many other local businesses. The five-block area is full of entertainment, restaurants and shopping. The diverse neighborhood and collection of unique retail offerings made Short Vine the perfect location for Pause.
More than anything, Barr hopes that the storefront encourages people to shop locally and support small businesses.
“When you go to a local store, you're getting something that's more personal that is investing in local entrepreneurs and families, and ultimately the community that you are living in,” stated Barr.
While Barr admitted that he’d love to open more retail locations for MORTAR graduates, there are no current plans in the works as the team continues focusing on Pause in its first year. Retail space is highly coveted by many entrepreneurs, which is why MORTAR goes to great lengths to ensure that its graduates understand everything involved with operating a storefront. The organization recommends that entrepreneurs test their products at one of their Pop Up locations on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine to get a realistic feel for the brick and mortar experience.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and UC Health were instrumental in providing funding and resources to help bring Pause to the neighborhood. In addition, Uptown Rentals helped guide some components of build-out for the retail space.
Patrons can visit Pause at 3908 Short Vine St. Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about MORTAR, visit www.wearemortar.com.