Alden business plans to expand hours

Published 10:47 pm Wednesday, December 12, 2018

ALDEN — Sometimes, something’s got to give.

Someday Isle business owner Mary Chicos said she felt that way when it came to her pop-up business. While the building is always there, her store has only been open for one weekend a month, by chance or by appointment since opening in April 2017.

Chicos recently made the decision to commit more time to her venture and left her part-time job at Edwards Manufacturing to do so.

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Chicos said she plans to use the next few months to transition a storage area in the back into an area to host string art, painting and barn quilt classes, with the help of friend Jane Haukoos. Chicos also needs time to create more merchandise in her store, which carries many homemade and repurposed items, as well as antiques, vintage items and plants.

Mary Chicos has a number of Christmas items in her store in anticipation of opening her doors this weekend. – Kelly Wassenberg/Albert Lea Tribune

In the meantime, her store will continue to be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each month, and is this weekend.

“I try to change things up every month so there’s always something different,” Chicos said.

“There is always a reason to come back.”

She said she hopes to host a grand re-opening in April to commemorate her second year in business. By then, she plans to start classes and expand her hours.