District 14 Town Hall - Small Business Spotlight

I always enjoy talking with Tia Hamilton - owner of Urban Reads Bookstore on Greenmount Avenue, and Libby Baxter Francis - owner of The Modest Florist in Hampden. Both women have survived COVID shut downs and lived to tell about it! We talked with them about their success, and about the upcoming Small Business Saturday events coming up Saturday! Here is the link for the FB Live video, and here is the link for the YouTube video.

Tia Hamilton opened Urban Reads Bookstore in December of 2019. During the pandemic she has been able to stay afloat by online orders, curbside pick up, and also various events outdoors. She founded the store because she needed a place to host her magazine State vs Us Magazine - which is about and by people who are incarcerated, like Tia once was. Tia is involved with Waverly Main Street. The store has taken off more than she has imagined and she has brought new life to Glorious Greenmount Avenue!

Libby Baxter Francis is the owner of The Modest Florist. She did not miss a beat during the pandemic, because her business was already set up for online ordering and delivery. She started a subscription service so people could receive or send flowers monthly. She sources her flowers from local growers in the Maryland/DC/Virginia/Delaware/Pennsylvania area, and delivers the flowers herself! Now that events are getting back she is busier than ever.

Waverly Main Street will have a Small Business Saturday event on November 27th. 30 vendors will be at the Waverly Farmer’s Market - along with the usual venders - to sell their amazing products! This is the place to shop on November 27th!

Hampden Village Merchants are also hosting Small Business Saturday on the Avenue in Hampden! The passport this year is virtual and also available in person. Visit and purchase from shops along the Avenue to win prizes! This is also the place to shop for the holidays!