Collaborative Market Takes Shape

MESA, AZ-The redevelopment of a shuttered Mervyn’s into a community marketplace that will house 100 merchants, a specialty restaurant and a farmers market is nearing completion. Five merchants have signed leases at the project, dubbed POOL. They include: Aspen Renee Studios; Arizona Salsa Company; Great Embroidery; Latino Jewelers; and Thee Boutique.

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.”