Meet Valerie Meadows, owner and nail tech of Suite 93, one of the new businesses located in our 299 building on East Center Street!
Q: Occupation?
A: Nail Tech
Q: Are you from Marion?
A: I am! I grew up outside of LaRue, went to Elgin until going to Tri-Rivers for high school. I moved just outside of downtown Marion in 2020, and I love it!
Q: What started your business venture?
A: I was actually really struggling at the time, didn’t have anywhere to live, between jobs. A close friend at the time pushed me to join her as a nail tech, and it just worked out.
I always wanted to be in the beauty industry; I love making others feel more confident. And now I spend my days chatting with people I consider my friends. It’s a dream. There are many days I can’t believe this is my life now!
Q: What is your favorite thing about downtown Marion?
A: The community it brings! I have made so many connections with other business owners, and people who frequent downtown, whether that’s to work or shop. It’s so nice to pour back into the community with like-minded individuals!
Q: Favorite downtown place to eat or drink? Why?
A: It’s hard to pick just one! The Remnant is my coffee go-to. Baires has the best breakfast. Mike’s Deli for a quick lunch. And Buccis for dinner, I am very loyal to their crispy chicken alfredo.
Q: Favorite downtown place to shop? Why?
A: Maddie’s On Main for clothing. They always have the cutest on-trend items. It’s a bonus that Chelsey and everyone else that works there is the sweetest!
Foxglove Hollow for home decor. Loveee everything they sell! Perfect for those unique pieces. I love going here when I need the perfect gift for someone!
Q: Favorite thing to do downtown? Why?
A: Shopping! If it’s my day off, you can usually find me walking downtown to every store.
Ready for a fresh start in a new space? Check out our current listings! We have high end luxury to refreshed modern spaces and everything in between.
Having trouble visualizing The Lydia with furniture? Check out our post here to get an idea of a furnished layout!
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Last Friday, the HDG team hosted our Small Developers Summit here in Marion to share lessons, best practices, and shared challenges of the work we are all doing. This group, representing over a dozen different communities around Ohio, is doing so much good by investing in people, places, and projects that restore life, dignity, and beauty to downtowns.
We had the chance to show off some of the best of what Marion is becoming. Great coffee from Sip Easy, a walk through our bustling boutique retail scene, lunch at our local spots, and of course a stop at Whit’s for a quick sample. One of the highlights for our team and our guests alike was the behind the scenes look at The Lydia, touring restaurant spaces that are close to opening, and the Lydia Lofts that just welcomed the first two residents. We’ve learned a lot of lessons, and in a group like this, we share openly how we are making improvements after various stumbles on this project.
The day was a reminder of why I do what I do alongside our team. We work at the intersection of for-profit and for-purpose. It is not always easy, and it certainly is not quick, but it is meaningful. And when you get a group of people together who are all pushing in that same direction, you can feel the momentum building in a way that is hard to explain but easy to believe in.
Thanks for being on the journey with us, and thank you all for continuing to support. Without a community, none of this is possible.
Better Together,
Luke Henry Col 3:23
