MANCHESTER, NH – Pop of Color is more than a gift shop. It’s also a metaphor for the newest bright spot on Elm Street, a welcome splash of retail therapy in a monochromatic sea of eateries.
Nothing against restaurants.
But Chelsea Stoddard had been listening to customers frequenting her other downtown business, Queen City Cupcakes: Restaurants are great, but there needs to be more.
So she and her business partner, Deb Sheilds – who doubles as Stoddard’s mom – decided to try something completely different. Pop of Color opened Aug. 11 just a few doors down from their successful cupcake shop.
They decided to take the plunge. The hope is that it inspires others to follow their lead by filling up some of the Elm Street vacancies with retail businesses that will help revive the city’s once-bustling shopping spirit.
“We get so much business at the cupcake shop from guests staying at the Radisson, people visiting from out of town looking not only for something New Hampshire made, but something to do after whatever the activity that brought them to the hotel was over,” says Stoddard.
That’s when the wheels started turning. They added a small gift section to the cupcake shop to fill the shopping void, and it was a huge hit. Many of the items were made by Sheilds, a retired teacher, serial crafter and seamstress, who once owned her own shop on Chestnut Street, The Sparrows Song.
“She quit her teaching job to do cupcakes with me – she came along for the ride and she supported me in my dreams,” says Stoddard. “This is more her – and a way better job to ease into retirement than making a thousand cupcakes a day.”
Naming the store Pop of Color was an easy choice, says Stoddard – it describes her own decorating strategy, using color to perk up a neutral space with the option to change things up any time the spirit moves. And true to its name, the shelves are filled with deliciously color-coordinated merchandise, to satisfy anyone’s color palette.
Expanding the scope of the family business has meant recruiting some cousins to help fill in at the cupcake store, which is busier than ever. Now Stoddard, her husband, and sister, Amelia Shields, take turns churning out the cupcakes and stocking the Pop of Color shelves with a mix of handcrafted items and other gift and home decor finds.
So far there are about 20 local New England-based vendors, with more to come, including: Purely Oh Dog Bakery (Fremont); Barkin’ Biscuit (Bedford); Gunther’s Goodies (Manchester); Stonewall Kitchen (York, Maine); Jewell Towne Vineyards (South Hampton); Sweet Baby Vineyards (Hampstead); Zorvino Vineyards (Sandown); Bullenbeisser (New York); Ben’s Sugar Shack (Temple); Süss Sweets (Nashua); Michele’s Sweetshop Popcorn (Derry); Life’s Little Pleasures (Pittsfield); Holland Farm (Milford); Say it Don’t Spray It (Maine); The Orange Owl (Vermont); North Woods Animal Treats (Keene); Art by Karen Bessette; (Manchester) Plum Island Soap Co. (Massachussetts); and White Heron Tea (Portsmouth).
Story continues below the gallery
Craig and Paula Pilloni of Goffstown happened upon the shop earlier this week, after eating at Portland Pie Co.
First impression?
“I love it! This is definitely a place I’ll be shopping,” said Paula Pilloni, who was eyeing several potential buys. “We recognize some of the local companies. I like that there’s a little bit of everything here.”
Her husband agreed, that the mix of merchandise made for good browsing.
“We like to walk around when we come here, but there really isn’t a lot to see,” Craig Pilloni said. “This is a start. I’d like to see a place with musical instruments – I know the Music Mill is down the street, but I’d like to see them move down here, and also the store next to it, Antiques on Elm. It’s not really convenient to get there on foot. They would be a good draw.”
Karen Grimmett of Bedford was out on her lunch break when she noticed the sandwich board sign out front of the new store. Once inside it didn’t take her long to find the perfect anniversary gift for her husband: His and hers pillow cases that read: “Love you,” and “Love you more.”
“I will absolutely be back,” Grimmett said. “I work in the area, and love walking around after lunch, but there’s no place to shop. Evenings would be fun after dinner or a play.”
To that end, Stoddard said they will likely consider expanding their hours for the holiday season, but for now, will be open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
“Maybe once some more people join us downtown and bring some more shops here. We’re putting out the retail challenge,” Stoddard said.
Pop of Color is located at 816 Elm St., Manchester. 603-624-5999. Hours: T-Fri., 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. -3 p.m. Follow them on Facebook or find them on the web: popofcolornh.com
