“The day-to-day challenges of running a small business are worth it because the final product is rewarding” – Marlene Massa, Owner of Market on the Square
In a time when it’s convenient to surf online for unique gifts and accessories, it’s important to remember that there are unique, locally owned stores that are a gift to a community. One can be found in Cookeville on the square at North Jefferson Avenue, where smiling faces and a “Hello” greet every guest at the door.
The Market on the Square (The Market) was once a consignment store. What is now a thriving clothing, gift, and kitchen store on Cookeville’s Historic Downtown Square once had several rooms and spaces dedicated to local vendors vying for attention. Thankfully, in those days, The Market’s owner Marlene Massa decided to give consignment a chance.
Marlene Massa
She recently told the UCBJ that experience led her to where she is today.
“There were several different people who rented out small rooms or spaces on the walls to sell their merchandise, me included,” said Massa.
As a result, she had found her calling, and she would not let it slip.
“My husband always said that I needed a job where I could shop because I am so good at it,” she said. “I put my talent to good use and shortly became partners with the owner, and soon became the sole proprietor of The Market on the Square. My dream had come true.”
Outside the box – A local sawmill creates these Christmas trees from scraps every year.
The experience of shopping at MS is something like going home. It’s a welcome, almost familiar feeling. Massa says the top priority in her store is indeed making customers feel welcome. The mission is clear, she says. “Our mission is to provide a great customer service experience, a comfortable place to shop and escape, and we want you to feel good about yourself – all while having fun.”
It turns out that being special is the store’s specialty.
“I believe our specialty is that we aren’t like everyone else,” according to Massa. “We strive to have things you can’t find everywhere, and more importantly we want to make your experience with us one that will make you want to return! I didn’t get to choose our name but, I couldn’t have picked a better one!”
Massa says the day-to-day challenges of running a small business are worth it because the final product is rewarding. She wakes up every day looking forward to going to work.
“I wake up every day and get to go to the place I’m most proud of with the people I love most,” she said.
Isn’t that the American dream?
“It is a labor of love,” she said.
Massa says her customers are always the top priority.
“It’s because of them that The Market has been able to stay on our town square for 20 years,” she said. “We would be nothing without their continued support!”
Welcome – The Market’s entrance is a welcoming site.
In a world of online shopping and the “big box” retail stores, the vision of a shop with a beautiful blue awning on a warm day or a cool evening in the fall, on a street you’ve walked many times before — is simply put, charming and nostalgic. It hearkens back to when people shopped locally, knew their merchants and supported their community.
“Shopping local is all about community,” says Massa. “It’s shopping with people who know you and care about you. It’s shopping with the people who support your kid’s schools and sports. It’s shopping somewhere that cares.”
But why do they come back? According to Massa, it is a welcoming atmosphere that changes with the seasons. With Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon, MS has big plans.
It all starts on Small Business Saturday.
“We are looking forward to our Holiday Open House, Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday in November,” said Massa. “It is our kick-off to the holiday season and great days of food, fun and giveaways. We also have the Tennessee Tech Percussion coming to play drums for us outside the store. That is always a blast.”
You’re here – The Market offers a wide variety of unique gifts.
Give MS a follow on socials @marketonthesq to keep up. For more information, call 931-372-7688, email info@themarketonthesquare.com and hello@themarketonthesquare.com, or visit online HERE. The shop is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is also open online 24/7.
“The absolute best way to contact me would be calling the store directly,” said Massa. “However, my customers can call or text my cellphone, email, or send a social media message. Even Smoke signals work!! Whatever is easiest for them works for me.”
If the vibe sounds like family, it’s because it is.
“We are a woman-owned family business,” said Massa. “I get to work with my daughter, and I can’t think of any better way to spend my days. We are truly grateful to our community for their love and support.”
A special local feature sponsored by CBJ advertisers.
Photo courtesy of The Market.
Copyright 2024 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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