Marion small business changes layout, helping other shops

MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – A small business owner in Marion is finding a creative way to stay afloat through rising costs and inflation.

Lush Puppy Pet Boutique opened in late 2023 and sells items for pets. The owner of the store, Marcy Fauconniere, said that small businesses are facing struggles between the cost of renting a location and people not spending as much money.

Fauconniere rents out a storefront near City Square Park. Since opening, she’s been the only shop in the building, but that’s changing.

Kodiak the Newfoundland greets just about anyone walking into the shop. Fauconniere is Koadia’s owner and sells healthy pet treats because of her personal experience.

”My dog was having problems, the one that I had previous to Kodiak. He would have problems with allergies, things like that, and it was just a lot easier when things had minimal ingredients,” Fauconniere said.

Fauconniere said between construction, the cost of renting a space, and the current economy, a lot of small businesses are hurting.

”When the business rates are down, it’s a little hard to get by sometimes, and sometimes you got to do what you can to help others,” Fauconniere said.

The layout of Lush Puppy is now changing to do just that. Fauconniere has invited other small businesses to sell products in her space.

Now people can shop in multiple stores out of one shop.

Those businesses include Just the Girls, Beau Laundry Co, Abrams Home Decor, Paws Over People, LaRae Jewelry and Wigglewow.

“We can kind of share each other’s customers. That’s kind of what you got to do right now,” Fauconniere said.

Beau Laundry Co. was stocking the shelves with products Wednesday afternoon.

”The competition we face up against for dog products or laundry balls, the saturation is super high on Amazon. So it’s either one versus Amazon or multiple versus Walmart or Target or Amazon, wherever you shop,” said Alex Beaumier, founder of Beau Laundry Co. “Banding together is really important because it not only saves on rent, which is one of the biggest costs, when it comes to starting up a business, it’s rent and payroll and taxes. I think the more people you can get into a spot, not only are you helping each other out, but it’s also building a community of people.”

Working together to keep small businesses in Eastern Iowa.

”If you don’t have local shops and small businesses, you’re going to be totally dependent on a big box store or Amazon and the customer service is not going to be there. The friendly, hometown feel is not going to be there anymore,” Fauconniere said.

Fauconniere isn’t charging the business’ rent. She’ll only keep a portion of sales made.

She hopes it will be a way for all the businesses to combine resources and help each other by spreading the work through advertising and word of mouth.

”I really want to help other local business and hope that they want to help me too so that we can all survive this mess that we’re all in,” Fauconniere said.

The boutique is holding an open house on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. so people can meet some of the owners of the other small businesses coming into the space.

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