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MILWAUKEE — Drive along Doctor MLK Jr. Drive to find the city of Milwaukee’s first black- and brown-owned plant shop.
But as the centerpiece of Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, the Maranta Plant Shop serves much more than just plants.
In the summer of 2021, the Plant Shop began hosting a market every Saturday for local businesses.
Maranta manager Shinsley Dixon said this was a return to the business’ original goals.
Dixon said the market, with music blaring and people dancing, is a way to build a sense of community and give local makers more exposure.
“It felt like a little block party,” said Summer Market’s Dixon.
Now they’re bringing that energy into the winter with an in-store market on Sundays. Complimentary mimosas and hot cocoa are provided.
From crochet creations to candles, about 8 to 12 businesses sell unique products every weekend.
One Sunday, repeat customers Rhubarb and Ice and Lumane Nourish were presenting their products to customers.
For each, Maranta’s markets hold special meaning in their journey as business owners.
rhubarb and ice cream
But for Rhubarb and Ice, it all started at a Houston dining room table during a blackout.
Jaide-Monet Davis and her mother, Nathalie Gilmore, sat around a table, trying on hats and coats to keep warm.
Davis’ mom taught her how to make jewelry with copper and brass, something her mom had been doing for years.
“I’m always daydreaming. I was always doodling… I knew it was already in me.
As such, Davis decided to quit his traditional job in community psychology and dive headfirst into starting his own business.
Together, Davis and her mom formed “Rhubarb and Ice.”
Jaide-Monet Davis with his girlfriend at the winter market in Malanta. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
We sell unique jewelry made from copper and brass metals such as bracelets, nose rings and ear cuffs. Part of the reason Davis said he was drawn to these metals was due to their healing properties.
In addition to jewelry, “Rhubarb and Ice” also sells patches and stickers. Occasionally they also sell food such as lemonade and other snacks.
“We have a little bit more,” Davis said.
As for the origin of the name, Davis said it had something to do with her grandmother growing rhubarb in her Milwaukee backyard.
“We wanted to keep our Milwaukee roots in our name,” said Davis, who is from the city.
“Ice,” said Davis. This is slang for jewelry. The name represents both the food and jewelry part of the business.
They primarily sell their products in markets throughout Milwaukee, one of which is the Maranta Plant Shop market.
Patches sold by Rhubarb and Ice. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
Davis found out about Maranta while living in Houston.
“We learned that they were a venue that was people of color, black-owned, queer-owned, and offered small businesses a variety of opportunities to attend the event,” Davis said. “The owner liked the major swag.”
As a black and queer creator, Davis decided to reach out.
When she returned to Milwaukee in the summer, she registered as a vendor in the first market with Maranta. Since then they have done about 8-10 markets in the plant shop.
We also currently sell products at Riverwest Co-Op and Fischberger’s Variety.
Jewelry made from rhubarb and ice. Her mother Natalie Gilmore is the model on the bottom right. (Courtesy of Rhubarb and Ice)
Davis said there were moments in the market that made him cry because of meaningful customer interactions.
At one market in particular, a woman was trying on one of her checked beaded bracelets.As Davis checked her out, the woman said, “Thank you for making this for me.” .
“And I like to cry because … that’s kind of how we make things,” Davis said. “We wanted people to feel like they had talent. These were meant for them, and you know, she felt it.
“That’s exactly why we’re doing this,” added Davis.
For Davis, it’s not just about sharing love with customers, it’s about giving back to the community.
Every month since we started our business, we donate a portion of our funds to shelters, schools, or community organizations to help underserved youth.
Follow us on Instagram @rhubarb_and_ice for the latest on rhubarb and ice. You can also visit their website.
Lumane Nourish Skin Care
In 2018, Bisan Muna took an interest in the world of natural skincare.
Her friend had invited her to a doTERRA essential oil party. It was there that Muna bought some oils.
That purchase put her on a path of experimentation and research into oil mixing. It then led to the creation of her business, Rumaneh Nourish.
“Since then, I’ve been really into it[skincare],” said Muna.
She started with a few products, gifted them to friends, and tested them herself to see if they were of high quality.
After getting great feedback and being encouraged by friends to change to something bigger, Muna decided to start her own business, Rumaneh Nourish.
Bisan Muna at the Malanta Winter Market. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
Today she makes all kinds of facial products including complexion mists, body oils, lip balms, lip polishes, beard oils, aftershaves and more. A big part of her goal, she said, is to make her products inclusive for everyone.
As she expands her offerings, embracing her Palestinian roots has also become important to Muna.
“‘Rumane’ is the Arabic word for pomegranate, so I wanted to incorporate my part as a Palestinian Arab,” Muna said.
She also started making recycled bookmarks with hand-stitched Palestinian embroidery and selling them alongside her skincare. Muna works with her mother to collect embroidery that has been passed down in Palestinian families for generations.
Hand-stitched Palestinian embroidery bookmark. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
She also said she is working to bring more of her roots into her oils. I was.
But her Palestinian roots aren’t the only inspiration for her products. She also comes from a family of farmers.
“I’ve always been surrounded by a family that has not only been a hard worker, but also taken advantage of the earth and what’s naturally there for us,” Muna said. , and has been a big part of who I want to live my life as.”
A few years ago, she met Michelle Alfaro, owner of the Maranta Plant Shop, while attending another market in Milwaukee. They made a connection and Muna followed her on her media on social. At that time, plant stores did not exist.
Muna said she was surprised to see Alfaro have a shop. So when the shop started a small, community-based market, Muna signed up.
“Knowing that these larger markets are great to be part of the business, but these smaller markets are also powerful and, more than that, part of the connections you can make. I feel like I am,” Muna said.
Rumane Nourish booth at the Maranta Winter Market. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)
She said she was initially nervous about attending the market event. She worried about what people would say about her product.
But after doing a few things and having positive interactions with customers, she became more comfortable.
“It was really encouraging to move forward,” said Muna.
She does it all while working full-time in special education, but she said she hopes to one day make Lumane a full-time job.
“I hope my story can be equally inspiring to others who are still hesitant to get their ideas out there,” Muna said.
“Don’t worry about the results,” she added as advice to fellow producers.
Rumaneh Nourish products can be found at the GoodLand Home & Goods storefront on Downer Avenue or online. You can also find it on @rumaneh_nourish’s Instagram.
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If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the Maranta Winter Market, you can contact us via direct message on Instagram or email info@marantaplantshop.com.
Maranta manager Dixon said he rarely turns down manufacturers.
Editor’s Note: Rumaneh Nourish was misspelled in the first story. The story has been edited to reflect the fix. (2022.12.27)
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