Turner sisters join forces with C&A Crochet

Editor’s Note: Each of the six businesses at the Young and Bright Pop Up Shop will be featured individually throughout the week to give each business its own spotlight. 

Winderson’s Creation’s Mary Pettenger and greener goods Tara Allen know what it’s like to be a small business owner. The duo, who have formed a relationship through their close proximity in Sangamon on Main, decided to extend an opportunity to young business owners in the Young and Bright Pop Up Shop on Aug. 22. 

The event showcased nine young entrepreneurs with a wide variety of services and products. 

“I had no idea there were so many little entrepreneurs in Mahomet,” Allen said. “They’re so cute and they’re so good at what they do.”

“We saw them out there and knew that they needed, probably a place to come and just share all their stuff,” Pettenger said.

Allen said it’s the theme across Sangamon on Main, “stronger together.”

“We are super supportive of each other as businesses, and so it was nice to have the opportunity to support the younger kids that really, during this COVID crisis, have started their businesses and found their passion.”

With the Mahomet Farmer’s Market outside on the sidewalk, Allen and Pettenger knew that an extension into the building where children could offer their goods would be beneficial to all. 

“We’ve had a great turnout,” Pettenger said. “As often as the kids want to come back and do it, I’d be willing to host them in here and then of course we have the room in the hallway.”

C&A Crochet

Temperatures approached the 90’s on Saturday, but Callie and Alexa Turner had winter on their minds during Saturday’s Young and Bright Pop-Up Shop at Sangamon on Main.

Ten-year old Alexa has been working on crochet stitches for a few years while Callie just began learning last year. But, together the sisters are learning how to run a business, C&A’s Crochet, which just came to fruition last month.

“We both have been working on finding new ideas, colors and stitches,” Callie said. “Lexi can do a lot of patterns and other things.”

The girls often find inspiration on the internet, especially social media, like Instagram. The platforms also allow them to gather ideas from customers who share their feedback.

Their products, which include headbands, trivets and coasters will expand to winter wear for the upcoming winter months. 

“We’ll be releasing a set of a scarf, a head wrap and a hat,” Callie said. “And we’ll release all that probably here pretty soon as it starts to get chilly.”

The girls also plan to have scarves available. 

Being so close in age, the girls have a built in friend. They’ve enjoyed, though, how their new venture helps them to interact with others in a time of social distancing. Callie also said it helps direct their attention away from their screens.

“It gets us bonding and having a good time together,” she said. “It makes other people’s day. We really just do it for fun.

Alexa sees the benefit, too.

“We have to work together,” she said. “We have to be like a team, so we’ve been really, really good together and we haven’t been fighting at all.”

“The outcome of making all this stuff is super cool. I really enjoy it.”

The girls have expanded their offering to rubber band bracelets, too. 

“We like to let people choose because we can do custom colors, and they can pick,” Callie said.