Faith! A word that exhibits everything associated with Mustard Seed Market in Franklin, Ky!
The mother-daughter team opened the doors of Mustard Seed Market on November 8, 2015. The idea had come just eight weeks before that during a conversation in which Tammie Carey (the daughter) was sharing with Ann Evans (the mom) a concern for downtown Franklin and the number of empty storefronts. Tammie also shared a concept for a shop that she had seen while visiting another town. Ann commented, “Well, let’s open a shop!” Tammie was reluctant, but after several conversations she decided to stop talking about “wishing there was more in Franklin” and decided to act. In just eight short weeks, the mother-daughter team found a building to rent, purchased merchandise to sell, recruited other vendors to sell items they had made or purchased and set up shop. “We actually opened during Christmas Open House,” Tammie said. “It was so exciting to see the support of our community coming in to wish us well.”
Since that November date, Mustard Seed Market has grown. Actually, they have more than doubled in size. In June 2018, Tammie purchased a building on Main Street and her husband, Brian, and father-in-law began demo and renovation work. In four months the main floor and the basement were gutted and renovated into beautiful spaces. The big move happened the last weekend of October, and in three days the shop was moved and the doors to the bigger building were opened.
Mustard Seed Market has 32 unique market spaces filled with a variety of merchandise. You’ll find ladies, maternity, children’s and babies boutique clothing, jewelry, shoes, handbags, home décor, wreaths, dips & mixes, kettle korn, pottery, inspirational gifts, vintage, handmade wood décor, handmade jewelry, art, candy, and lots, lots more!
“We wanted to create a unique environment where people could have a small business without the overhead and time involved with owning their own shop,” said Ann, co-owner of Mustard Seed Market.
Three vendors that started in Mustard Seed Market now have their own shops in Franklin.
“It has been exciting to see businesses grow and have the desire to open their own space,” said Tamie, co-owner of Mustard Seed Market.
As you drive around the square in Franklin, many of those storefronts that were empty in 2015 are now full and other buildings are undergoing renovations. There are now five eateries downtown (and lots more nearby) and 15 retail shops. Franklin is a great destination for a day trip!
“Opening the shop was a true leap of faith,” Tammie said. “I’ve never worked retail so the whole experience has been a true learning experience. We have been blessed so much by our vendors, the people we have met, the relationships made and the experiences we have had. We truly love being a part of downtown Franklin!”
