Don't Miss Latino Business Week Pop-Up in Gaviidae Common - Now thru September 17

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Chameleon Shoppes, in partnership with Target, is sponsoring a pop-up shopping experience in celebration of Latino owned businesses during Latino Heritage Month. We spoke to Shannon Fitzgerald, Chameleon Consortium Project Lead, and several vendors about the event. This opportunity is over on the 17th – walk over today!

Q:  Tell us about the Latino Business Week project. 

A:  This is the first time that Chameleon has been involved with Latino Business Week and we’re excited to be part of introducing these businesses to the downtown community. From September 13-17, this pop-up will be located at various locations in Gaviidae Common on Nicollet Mall. Chameleon Shoppes will market the event to its downtown community, and Target will market to its corporate employees. This is part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 this year. 

Q:  How did the partnership with Target come about? Do you see the partnership extending beyond Latino Business Week?

A:  We'd been in conversation with different people at Target for some time to figure out how we could collaborate, and this project was just the right thing. We hope to build on this project next year with them. A long-lasting benefit is that the pop-up will also provide vendors the opportunity to interact with Target Corporation Diversity Supplier leadership focused on developing relationships with new potential company partners.

While we are pleased to be partnering with Target, we are even more excited by the amazing partnerships that we've been able to develop with organizations supporting the Latino community in a purposeful, ongoing way. I'd like to particularly name the people at the Latino Economic Development Center, who are doing incredible work to support and sustain Latino businesses all over the city.

Left to right - Marta Valle, Sandra Ortega and Artez Chef with Shannon Fitzgerald

Q:  What types of products might we see showcased in Gaviidae Common during the week? 

A:  So many items! We have such a large variety of products, from hand-painted and hand-made clothing to jewelry, to candles and oils, shoes and boots, and even balloon bouquets. The vendors are:

* Scent.Tea.Mint  * Sanorte Design * Luceritos Fashion * The Epileptic Chef * Joyeria el Diamantito * Edicion Especial * Corazon Clothing * Susana Mendex Jewelry * Josefina Flandes Handmade Cards * Boga Balloons

Sandra Ortega of Sanorte Design

Marta Valle of Joyeria el Diamantito

Artez Chef of The Epileptic Chef

I spoke to several of the vendors. Marta Valle of Joyeria el Diamantito invites our readers to visit this week or to come by her shop on 1613 E Lake Street to see her wide variety of precious gems and jewelry.

Sandra Ortega, owner of Sanorte, has the slogan Hoy is un buen dial para ser Feliz!, which translates to Today is a good day to be happy! I challenge anyone to feel sad while viewing her clothing designs – they’re vibrant, positive and hand painted masterpieces. She says, "Color is the medium I use to transmit joy and positivity."  Readers, she does it well!

Artez Chef, entrepreneur owner of The Epileptic Chef wants our readers to know that he can create custom t-shirts, candies and cupcakes for your celebrations. 

Q:  May other Latino businesses submit business or product ideas going forward?

A:  We are looking forward to ongoing collaboration with the Latino community, and always like to hear from organizations and businesses who share our mission and would like to partner with us. We are focused on matching downtown resources to BIPOC and women-owned businesses to help create a vibrant downtown experience. We've been excited to do this work with this community, and are excited about supporting it further. Anybody can reach out to us with ideas at this link.

Q:  How may we follow news of the project? 

A:  The best way to follow this project and Chameleon's ongoing work is through our social media channels: Facebook: @chameleonconsortiumshoppes and Instagram: @chameleonshoppes.