Latest Garage at Cleveland Corner incubator tenant now has her own permanent space

After about half a year as the latest tenant for the Garage at Cleveland Corner’s retail incubator space, Juliana Cavender has found a permanent spot for her Mini Co. children’s apparel and accessory shop.

“We are moving to Clifton Square. Big surprise.”

That’s where she has other businesses, including Everyday Beaut, her first salon and shop, and Clifton Collective, both of which also are in Leawood.

At Clifton Square in College Hill, Cavender has split Clifton Collective into two concepts: Clifton Collective, which carries gifts, clothing, jewelry and fun finds, and the Marketplace at Clifton Square, which carries products by Wichita and Kansas vendors.

Mini Co. has its own space under the Clifton Collective roof. This week, it moved to where the T-shirt Kitchen used to be.

“It’s a really cute space,” Cavender said.

Clifton Square didn’t have room for Mini Co. when Cavender first conceived it.

She said the incubator at First and Cleveland “was a great opportunity to initiate the idea and see how people would respond to it.”

Cavender said customers were receptive.

“I think people have been wanting to shop local for their kiddos.”

With the move to Clifton Square, where she already spends much of her time, Cavender said she can interact with customers more and keep inventory revolving.

She said she also hopes to feature more mini makers, who are children creating their own products, such as jewelry and key chains.

“So, we’ve got four concepts in Clifton Square, and now we rest,” Cavender said.

She said she thinks that’s it for new concepts for her.

“But, you know, I could go to sleep tonight and wake up at three in the morning, and something else could come to me.”

Cavender said she appreciates the start the incubator gave her.

“We’re really fortunate in our city to have an opportunity of a launchpad like that.”

The incubator space is now taking applications for a new tenant at www.thegarageswichita.com.

Cavender said she’s also appreciative of Wichita and the customers who make her businesses possible.

“We get to have these crazy, fun ideas and watch them come to life.”

This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 1:03 PM.