POOL is modeled after some of the most famous markets in the country including Pike Place in Seattle and Oxbow Market in Napa, CA. It is the first of its kind in Arizona, says Brad Weinstock, CEO and co-founder of POOL.

POOL is a community marketplace that brings together specialty purveyors, small businesses, artisans and privately-owned merchants who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to afford rents in traditional retail venues. At POOL, rents start at $650 per month. "POOL in our case is a verb," Weinstock says. "The name references the pooling together of people, their strengths, diversities and resources. It's all about collectivism."

Located in the former Mervyn's on the northeast corner of Stapley Drive and Main Street, POOL's first phase consists of 41,000 square feet. Phase two will include the balance of the 100,000-square-foot building, which was built in the 1970s and originally housed a W.T. Grant department store.