Forget everything you knew about the former Clinton Square Mall at 291 Front St., near Mallory Square, and go back inside.
Historic Tours of America bought the historic building a few years back and has completely transformed it into The Shops at Mallory Square. The company’s director of real estate, Joyce Unke, has handpicked the tenants of the indoor mall and is encouraging local artists to use their stores as both working studios and retail shops. The building has a new identity and an exciting energy among its tenants.
“Many of our tenants had started by selling their products at local artisan and farmers markets, and I wanted to give them a retail venue and workspace that they could use at affordable rents,” Unke said. “I don’t advertise the spaces. I’m carefully handpicking our tenants and so far it’s going really, really well. Nearly every shop in here is also a working studio.”
Artists Jasmine Jones and Katlin Spain were the first to take the leap of faith and move into the new spaces, Unke said. Their Ocean Blue Studio is drenched in color from their resin artwork and original paintings, along with handmade jewelry.
Emily Shipman, whose handmade Bella Laine candles are found all over town, was the first second-floor tenant. “I just love it up here,” she said on Monday.
Mariam Tvaliashvili creates handmade soaps and skin care products inside Key West Soaps shop, where on Monday she was making blue and yellow soaps to resemble the Ukrainian flag.
Canan Dilek, a native of Turkey, has filled her Pera Co. shop with handwoven, ethically made Turkish towels and blankets, while artists Stuart Damon of Damon Designs and Rafael Medina share a vibrant art studio space. Linda McCall of Key West Sail Bags makes totes, wallets and other accessories from old canvas sails and shares space with Kassy B Fine Arts. Upstarirs, Wesley Belland has his potter’s wheel inside Wello Art Studio, which sells handmade ceramics and pottery.
There’s also Twisted Tinsel Christmas shop and Bespoke Floral, where Natalie McIntyre was arranging flowers on Monday. “I’ve been doing flowers in Key West since I was 16 with a shop at Lazy Way,” she said.
Cristina Velardi of Cocky KW has moved her screen printing equipment into the new space. There’s also Cuban Coffee Queen, Blue Hibiscus Jewelry & Handbags, Pop-up Greeting Cards, Blue Cat pet gifts, Nature’s Treasures, Washed Up woodworking studios, Native Colors, Concrete Ship Mercantile and Backyards of Key West. Whit’s Frozen Custard is soon moving into the Shops at Mallory.
The Shops at Mallory Square are open seven days a week, and stores inside often have varying hours as they’re all owner operated, Unke said.
