BY DEREK LAND
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — The Maker and Merchant plans to expand in the Auburn Mall by combining its two separate stores into one. The business opened in November 2020 and sells products from local vendors. The store is owned by Coles Doyle, Jennifer Richards and Clare Mulherin.
“The new combined store will allow customers to browse the entire collection of vendors under one roof, creating a more seamless shopping experience,” Doyle said. “The transition will address the challenges of operating two split locations and will bring significant benefits to both customers and vendors.
“The biggest challenge in Auburn has hands-down been running two separate stores and trying to make those feel like one,” Doyle said. “It sounds simple — just across the hall — but in practice, it felt like running two entirely separate stores. Having everything in one space will make a huge difference for shoppers, employees and vendors.”
Doyle said the expansion will also allow for a complete redesign of the store’s layout.
The goal of The Maker and Merchant is to be a place for small business owners to reach and sell their goods to the Auburn-Opelika community without having to pay the expense of maintaining their own brick-and-mortar storefronts. Vendors pay a space fee and a percentage of sales to The Maker and Merchant to cover the costs of building maintenance, staffing and customer experience.
“We try to foster a sense of community among our approximately 50 vendors by offering resources like a monthly call, newsletter and Facebook group to connect them,” Doyle said. “We’ve seen so many great relationships grow among our vendors. It’s inspiring to see their creativity and passion, and the store wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
Vendors at The Maker and Merchant curate their space to reflect their brands and products. Items range from handmade jewelry to locally made foods. The staff communicates with vendors to learn more about the businesses and to share their stories with the customers.
“When you walk into the store, we want you to see a little bit of everything — clothing, jewelry, unique gifts and local food,” Doyle said. “Our team works hard to represent each small business well and to create a thoughtful, cohesive layout.”
Doyle said The Maker and Merchant is currently accepting vendor applications to fill the expansion space. Applications may remain open on a rolling basis, though spaces are limited. Interested businesses can find more information and apply online at the store’s website.
The current store remains open during the transition and is expected to close at the end of February. The grand opening of the new combined space is planned for early spring. For more information visit www.themakerandmerchant.com.
