A new clothing store offering stylish casual wear for men and women has opened in a storefront at 911 S. Main St.
Mint Cove Clothing Co. was founded by Jordyn Thompson as an online business from her home in Joplin. Their success there and the need for more space prompted them to open the store and venture into direct retail sales. In addition to clothing, she offers jewelry, hats and accessories.
“We have so much more inventory space now,” she said. “What you see is just the beginning. We have more material coming in and we are expanding our lines.”
Upcoming summer collections include men’s and women’s swimwear and a wider range of sunglasses. Mint Cove has a beach theme.
“My favorite color is mint and we’re definitely merpeople,” she said. “People love our sunglasses because they are so unique.”
The store opened last Saturday. The opening times are Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thompson plans to continue her online business at shopthemintcove.com.
I wish you success
Beljoy, a local company specializing in the manufacture of jewelry for wholesale and online sale, held an open house last week for its new operational headquarters on the second floor of a store at 216 S. Main St. Es moved from a warehouse to 12th Street and Wall Avenue.
“We’re all online,” says Abby Clevenger, the company’s founder. “Last Friday we were open to the public for the first time in seven years.”
Local Beljoy fans flocked to the open house. It almost overwhelmed Clevenger and her crew of jewelry stylists.
“We didn’t expect such a turnout. But it was really fun to do,” she said.
At the same time, her husband, Lane Clevenger, hosted an open house for his business, Clevenger Financial, on the first floor of the store.
Abby Clevenger, who has a degree in fashion, got her start in selling jewelry by hosting home parties in college. From there she expanded into wholesale. In 2014, her husband suggested that she find a way to create jewelry-making jobs for people in the impoverished country of Haiti.
After enduring the pitfalls of doing international business, she launched the project in 2015. It would continue until 2020, when the pandemic hit. The social unrest that has persisted since then has made it impossible for her to resume her jewelry business there.
“We tried this week to get the factory that makes our clay beads up and running,” she said. “We will try again when the situation has calmed down.”
It should be noted that the Clevenger family has a longstanding connection to aid work in Haiti.
To view the jewelry, visit shopbeljoy.com.
Third Thursday
The third Thursday is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Joplin. Local artisans, music, entertainment and food will be on offer.
This month’s theme is Big Bike Bash. Bring your bike, enter a bike decoration contest, and take part in the spokes parade.
The Third Thursday is a free community event for all ages.
For more information or to register as a vendor or sponsor, please visit www.downtownjoplin.com/thirdthursday.
