Captain Dapper has an interesting connection to today's Indie Wednesday business, Alapash Home & Terrarium. Long before Marco Chavarry set up shop at 1944 West Montrose, the storefront was home to my own little handbag business, which I called Zola Jones. It's nice to see that the tradition of handcrafted goods and independent retailing has remained in the space. In addition to his own terrariums, Marco stocks Alapash with a unique collection of handcrafted and reclaimed home accessories.
Name: Marco Chavarry of Alapash Home & Terrariums
When did you open Alapash? I started as Alapash: Meaningful Terrariums with a small booth in the spring of 2011 at the Andersonville Galleria. At first I had the tiniest space, a 4' x 6' booth. Later that year I moved to a 4' x 10'. After a year at the Galleria, I opened Alapash: Home and Terrariums in Ravenswood.
What did you do before you opened started your business? Before Alapash, I worked full time in customer service for a financial institution and had a part time as event planner for a spa in the city. The last one was one of the many part time jobs I had over the last 7 years.
Who is your biggest inspiration as a designer/small business owner? I am not a trained designer, so I do not have an arts or design background, but I'm lucky that I work with elements that are inspiring. Botanicals and plants are already pieces of art, all I do is to configure them in harmonious ways.
Most people believe that my terrariums are inspired by the dessert because of the use of cacti, but I'm actually inspired by Japanese gardens and architecture. Go figure! I feed off what designers are doing these days and I religiously read several blogs a day. It doesn't matter if they are not related to what I do.
As a business, I am inspired actually by Crate and Barrel (they were a small business once upon a time!). I love how a couple's love for well-crafted products has turned into the franchise it is now. I know a lot of people have strong feelings about large retailers, but I am sure it took mountains of effort for them to be where they are now.
What are the advantages of supporting indie retailers? Supporting indie retailers and local businesses does more for the benefit of a community than to the actual retailers oddly enough. Having a unique business in any neighborhood obviously is a huge asset to the community. A unique business not only fills store fronts, it also brings followers into the area. For businesses that have employees, it offers the job opportunities to individuals and for those who do not have employees (like mine) offers employment to the people who makes our products: our crafters and artists. Opening Alapash has given me the opportunity to offer a small window to other crafters and designers to showcase their creations.
What’s your advice to new business owners? Stay organized, focused and stay positive. I have been notoriously known for my lack of budgeting skills in the past, but as a business owner you have to stay on top of your budget. It has become my obsession and actually I now look forward to sitting with my notebook and calculator and assigning budgets for our products. I find that writing keeps me on track of things. New projects, to do lists, inspiration and more. I try to sit at least once a week just to write one page. It is a moment when I can really somehow materialize what's been in my mind for a while. Staying positive is also important. Most people can't even imagine how many obstacles appear everyday when you own a business. It does take a lot of energy keep a smile in front of your customers and deal with the negative.
Go see Marco and his terrariums in person:
Alapash Home & Terrariums
1944 West Montrose Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60613
Images: Jason Loper
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