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New Roots Small Business Pop-Up Event

  • EMC Expo Center Iowa event center 730 4th Street Des Moines, Iowa, 50309 United States (map)

About the New Roots Small Business Pop-Up Event

The New Roots Small Business Pop-Up Event was created to support local small business owners affected by the sudden closure of the Painted Tree in Clive.

On April 14, vendors received unexpected news that the store would be closing immediately. With little warning, hundreds of small business owners were given only days to remove their booths and inventory. For many, this meant losing not only a retail space, but also a source of income, months of planning, and countless hours of work invested into building their businesses.

Like many vendors, I was personally impacted by the closure. I had recently moved into my booth and spent weeks preparing inventory, building displays, creating custom shelving, and transforming the space into something I was incredibly proud of. Seeing it all come to an abrupt end was heartbreaking.

After speaking with other vendors, I realized that many of us were facing the same uncertainty. We were wondering where we would sell, how we would recover our losses, and what came next for our businesses. I wanted to find a way to help.

That desire led to the creation of the New Roots Small Business Pop-Up Event.

My goal was simple: create an opportunity for vendors to reconnect with their customers, generate sales, and find hope during a difficult time. I wanted the event to be completely free for participating vendors so that every dollar earned could go directly back into their businesses.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Iowa Event Center, that vision became possible. By donating the event space, they helped remove financial barriers and made it possible for affected vendors to participate at no cost.

On June 6th, approximately 37 local small businesses will come together under one roof again to share their products, stories, and passion with the community. Visitors can shop a wide variety of handmade goods, artwork, apparel, gifts, home décor, specialty products, and more while directly supporting local entrepreneurs.

More than just a market, New Roots is a community-driven effort to help small businesses regain their footing and continue growing despite unexpected challenges. It is a celebration of resilience, determination, and the incredible support that exists within our local community.

Thank you to everyone who has offered encouragement, advice, shared our event, or helped make this day possible. This event truly would not exist without the support of our community.

We hope you'll join us on June 6th and help support these amazing small businesses as they begin their next chapter. This event is free to attend, family friendly, and the perfect way to support local Iowa businesses.

We hope to see you there! ❤️

Find Me at the Market!

I’ll be there with my original, hand-drawn artwork on:

Tote Bags

Made from thick, durable canvas

Zipper closure to keep things secure

Inside zipper pocket for organizing small items

Flat-bottom design so it stands upright

Two large sizes (20" × 16" and 20" × 15")—perfect for shopping or everyday use

Zipper Pull Keychains

Made from quality metal

Recycled vintage costume jewelry

Great for helping you unzip your tote bag

High-Quality Art Prints

Available in 5 × 7 and 8 × 10 inches

Beautiful, vibrant reproductions of my original artwork

Stickers

Waterproof and dishwasher-safe

Great for decorating water bottles, laptops, or notebooks

NEW Products!!!

T-shirts

100% Cotton

  • Soft, breathable, and comfortable for all-day wear

  • Lightweight but durable with a thicker quality feel

  • Pre-shrunk to help maintain fit

  • Vintage-wash finish for a naturally worn-in look

  • Fabric weight: 200g/m²

  • Crew neckline

  • Oversized / relaxed unisex fit

  • 7A antibacterial & anti-mite fabric

Turtleneck Sweatshirts

42% Cotton / 53% Polyester / 5% Other

  • Soft brushed fleece interior for warmth and comfort

  • Cotton adds breathability and softness

  • Polyester helps with durability and shape retention

  • Cozy, mid-weight feel perfect for colder weather

  • Thick ribbed turtleneck

  • Ribbed cuffs

  • Boxy, relaxed fit

  • Drop-shoulder design

Cropped Tees

89.7% Cotton / 10.3% Spandex

  • Cotton keeps the shirt breathable, soft, and comfortable against the skin

  • Spandex adds stretch and flexibility, allowing the fabric to move with your body without feeling restrictive

  • The blend helps the shirt retain its shape while still feeling lightweight and smooth

All of my designs are hand-drawn by me, Karley. I’m inspired by nature, wildlife, loved ones, and positive messaging, and I love sharing that with you through my work.

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Valley Junction Farmers Market

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Valley Junction Farmers Market