FIRST: Off the Wagon
Off the Wagon, located in Acorn Alley, offers a unique blend of nostalgic toys, board games and stuffed animals, drawing in customers of all ages.
Meg Sahr, the Kent store manager and regional manager for Off the Wagon, has been with the store for 11 years. She said one of the store’s main goals is to provide a little something for everyone, not limiting itself to one specific category.
“We really want to be a place where you can come and get something for your entire family or your entire friend group,” Sahr said. “I think we’ve been really successful in doing that.”
Fidget toys, especially the NeeDoh Nice Cube, have been a top seller this year, with a recent shipment of 528 pieces.
“Our top sellers this year have definitely been fidget toys, which is great because they are so versatile and fun for all ages,” Sahr said. “And then, of course, the Jellycats.”
Off the Wagon is known for its nostalgic atmosphere, which helps to create a unique shopping experience. Sahr highlighted the recent addition of a mural last fall, painted by a local artist, which includes aliens and fairies from “The Legend of Zelda.”
This mural adds a retro touch that appeals to both younger customers and adults who remember the same nostalgic images from their childhoods.
“We really try to tap into that nostalgia, not just for the kids, but for the adults, too,” Sahr said. “It’s important for us to have something interesting as soon as you walk in the door, whether it’s the mural or the products on the shelves.”
With product selection, Sahr said Off the Wagon stays on top of trends by monitoring customer preferences and sales. They focus heavily on games, which consistently attract interest.
“If a game is doing well, we try to get it in, and we’re constantly refining our selection based on what customers want,” Sahr said.
While trial and error have been part of the store’s success, Sahr emphasized the importance of not being afraid to take risks, even when products may not be guaranteed hits.
“You can’t be afraid to try new things, even if you’re not sure they’ll succeed,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot through trial and error, and it’s helped us build the store into what it is today.”
Looking ahead, Sahr plans to refine the store’s aesthetic, improve product placement and strengthen relationships with neighboring small businesses, which she sees as key to local success.
“We’ve been around for a long time, and I think part of the reason we’ve been so successful is because we’ve really focused on having something for everyone,” Sahr said. “But we’re always looking for ways to improve and make the store even better.”
SECOND: Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse
Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse is located at 124 E. Main St. and provides an atmosphere for book lovers, students and coffee enthusiasts alike.
Cassady Schnippel, manager of Last Exit, has been with the store for nearly five years and emphasized the unique blend of books, music and coffee that sets the store apart from other local spots.
“It’s rare to find a place that combines all three,” Schnippel said. “We try to create a space that’s welcoming to everyone, whether you’re here to study, relax or just explore.”
Much of the store’s inventory is sourced from secondhand donations, but Schnippel explained the team also places orders to keep up with trends and customer demand. This variety, she believes, keeps people coming back.
“The beauty of our store is the variety,” she said. “People find something new each time they come, whether it’s a book or a vinyl they’ve been searching for.”
Unlike online booksellers, Schnippel believes Last Exit stands out for its personal touch and customer experience. The store offers discounts, and customers enjoy browsing through shelves and discovering hidden gems.
In addition to its shop and cafe, Last Exit hosts regular events, including a popular monthly open-poetry reading.
“We have a lot of recurring visitors for our poetry readings,” Schnippel said. “It’s become a real community event for people to come together and share their work.”
Looking to the future, Schnippel is focused on continuing to improve the space to keep it fresh.
“We’re always working on enhancing the space,” she said. “We’ve added more seating, rearranged bookshelves and improved the study areas to make it even more comfortable for our customers.”
THIRD: Flourish Plant Market
Flourish Plant Market, located at 113 S. Water St., is a local favorite among plant lovers. Founded by Alicia Hall, the business began as an online store five years ago during the pandemic and transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location in Kent two and a half years ago.
“I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I wasn’t sure what direction to take,” Hall said. “At first, I thought it would be related to biking, but during the pandemic, it hit me—plants should be my focus.”
Flourish offers a wide variety of indoor tropical plants, succulents and seasonal options. Customers can find popular choices like pothos, snake plants and seasonal favorites such as Norfolk Pines and Shamrock plants.
These low-maintenance plants are especially popular among students for their ability to thrive in dorm rooms with minimal care.
“We try to have a bit of everything,” Hall said. “Pothos and snake plants are perfect for students because they’re easy to take care of and tolerate low light.”
Its strong sense of community sets Flourish apart from other local businesses. Hall and her team foster meaningful relationships with their customers and offer plant care advice, particularly for beginners.
The store hosts fundraising events and participates in neighborhood clean-ups to give back to the community. Over the holidays, Flourish partnered with Trinity Lutheran Church for a drive to collect items for foster children in need.
Looking to the future, Hall plans to grow Flourish even more. The store is working on launching an online shop again and aims to host more workshops and events, such as plant care classes and plant swaps, to strengthen its ties with the community.
Ella Katona is a campus editor. Contact her at [email protected].
