Rosewood hosts small business pop-up shop

Marisol Loustanau, left, and her daughters Bibiana Gonzalez and Nicole Perez sell their dessert shooters from their business Postres Las Tres Gorditas. They sold their baked goods during a pop-up shop at Mr. Rosewood Family Diner on June 5. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK – Mr. Rosewood Family Restaurant hosted a small business pop-up shop on their outdoor patio on June 6. Rosewood owner and small business advocate, Jason Perez, wanted to help young entrepreneurs expand their business and sell their products.

“I think it’s a great idea to get small businesses to start promoting within the community,” said the restaurant owner. “I hope they continue to work hard because it all works out in the end.”

The pop-up shop was organized by Simona Munoz, who has organized three previous small business pop-up shops in Norwalk Town Square.

“I’ve worked with Rosewood for many years. I remember going to their previous location and eating biscuits and gravy at the counter with my dad,” said Munoz.

At each pop-up shop Munoz welcomes familiar businesses, but wants to give each entrepreneur an equal opportunity to promote their business.

“If I have a business that I’ve had at the last two pop-up shops, I’ll tell them that it’s time to let someone else come in,” said Munoz. “It’s fair and it gives them an opportunity, too.”

Many entrepreneurs started a business during the pandemic, which inspired children to start their own as well.

Brianna Guerrero, 9, sold products from her business Endless Creations during a pop-up shop at Mr. Rosewood. She sells personalized headbands, handbags and craft kits.

Brianna Guerrero, 9, promoted her business “Endless Creations” and sold personalized headbands, accessories and craft kits for other children.

“It began during the pandemic. The kids were bored and she wanted to start a business,” described her godmother, Brenda Guerrero. “She customized these by adding jewels and bedazzling these purses and headbands.”

Brianna also showed that she customized her jean jacket with floral designs and jewels.

Talented bakers and cooks also saw an opportunity to profit from their skills in the kitchen. Small businesses like “Postres Las Tres Gorditas” sold homemade baked goods.

Marisol Loustanau and her two daughters began selling dessert shooters as a way to help support their family.

“My husband suffered an injury and he isn’t working, so needed something on the side,” said Loustanau. “I’ve been baking for years and we learned how to make these online.”

She displayed her coffee, chocolate and mango pudding dessert shooters as customers eagerly waited to try her desserts.

Business owners found creative ways to make their products.

Sandy Contreas, owner of “Sandy’s Crafting Table,” sold hand-crafted jewelry and earrings.

“I make everything myself from palomar clay,” described the business owner. “I love crafting. Anything I can do with my hands I’ll make it.”

Rosewood plans to host another small business event in July.

“As long as the community wants to see it, we will do it,” said Perez.

Munoz plans to organize her fourth pop-up shop at the Norwalk Town Square on June 12.