Twin brothers Chris and Pat Thompson, seen Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Vinemont, Ala., supply guests to The Man Cave Market an escape from the world. Their enterprise mannequin for The Man Cave Market is much less about promoting merchandise and extra about delivering an expertise. It’s that considering that has made the eclectic nursery a vacation spot store in Cullman. (Patrick Camp/The Cullman Occasions through AP)
AP
VINEMONT, Ala.
For twins Chris and Pat Thompson, the enterprise mannequin for The Man Cave Market in Vinemont is much less about promoting merchandise and extra about delivering an expertise. It’s that considering that has made the eclectic nursery a vacation spot store in Cullman.
After years as a wholesale distributor to 95 florists all through North and West Alabama, it was the pandemic and subsequent quarantines that led to the beginning of their budding enterprise.
“We had been on cruise management for over 20 years, Chris would go to Florida each week and choose up the crops, and we might ship them everywhere in the state,” mentioned Pat. “Then in 2020 every thing shut down, we went from 85 orders to lower than six. It solely lasted ten weeks earlier than orders picked up once more, however on the time we had no thought how issues would play out. So I tore the ceilings down in right here and constructed the lofts and we determined to open a retailer.”
With little greater than a truckload of crops and entrepreneurial mindset, the twins opened the doorways to the retail facet of their floristry enterprise in 2020.
“All we had had been crops then, however inside half-hour the primary buyer walked in and purchased $300 {dollars} price of product and it’s been that means ever since. Nearly each day we get a brand new buyer coming in to see what it’s all about, and it’s just about all via phrase of mouth,” mentioned Pat.
Whereas nonetheless a nursery at its core, the choices have come a great distance in two years. Venturing into decor, espresso, grooming and well being merchandise, the shop has change into a love letter of types from the brothers travels world wide.
“We’ve been all over the place,” mentioned Chris. “We wish to convey that right here. We wish this place to be an expertise, so we’re at all times searching for one thing distinctive and new and totally different. I at all times say that there’s no means you’ll be able to soak up completely every thing right here in a single go to. So each time folks are available it’s a brand new expertise.”
“Our purpose is to provide folks an escape from this loopy world,” mentioned Pat “There’s completely no strain to purchase something. Greater than something it pumps me up when somebody who’s having a foul day simply is available in and hangs out and enjoys the place. We’ve been very blessed in life, and now I’m simply comfortable that we will share that and bless others.”
Whereas there are plans for the long run, the brothers don’t know fairly what that can seem like.
“Our imaginative and prescient isn’t full. We’re wanting into perhaps providing meals quickly, however one thing distinctive and totally different. I don’t know precisely what but. It’s type of that means with every thing right here. There are positively plans, but it surely’s somewhat bit like portray an image. It simply develops on it’s personal.”
The Man Cave Market is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday via Saturday and 12-3 p.m. on Sundays.
