Founder: Chrissy Santos
Opened Brick-and-Mortar Store in February 2024
- Location: 11 Cabarrus Avenue West | Concord, NC 28025
- Your one-stop shop for local gifts and more
Cabarrus Center Resources Utilized
- Retail Lab | Spring 2022
- Awarded $2,500 Flywheel Foundation Grant
- Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Entrepreneurial Journey
- Chrissy started her business as a side hustle to pay for her wedding. Up until the pandemic, she worked full-time for a fitness company.
- The pandemic encouraged Chrissy to take a chance on herself, so she left her fitness position to pursue her business full-time.
- Chrissy applied and was accepted into the Retail Lab program’s Spring 2022 cohort. She graduated from the program in May 2022.
The Palmetto Market Was Born…
- The Retail Lab inspired Chrissy to completely rebrand her business.
- Chrissy unveiled her new brand for the first time as she pitched her business concept to the Cabarrus Center Entrepreneurship Council for a chance to receive a $2,500 grant from the Flywheel Foundation.
- Her pitch was a huge success and she was awarded a $2,500 grant for her business.
Store Opens in Downtown Concord
- In 2023, Chrissy was invited to return to the Retail Lab, but this time as an instructor to share her experiences and expertise.
- February 2024 | After years of taking part in various pop-ups and having her products featured in other stores, Chrissy opened her first brick-and-mortar store at 11 Cabarrus Ave W in downtown Concord.
- The Palmetto Market is your one-stop gift shop in downtown Concord, featuring products made by Chrissy and 16 other local small businesses.
In the News
- Entrepreneur Achieves Long-held Dream of Opening Her Own Business in Downtown Concord (Independent Tribune, 3-22-24)
- Retail Lab Graduate Finds Courage to Start Fresh (Small Business Center at RCCC, 3-1-24)
- Cabarrus Center Retail Lab Graduates 10 Local Entrepreneurs, Awards 5 Grants (Cabarrus Center, 5-23-22)
