After finding success as a first-time business owner, Mexico resident Kat Rice is expanding her current operation to include local flair.
The Mexico Chamber of Commerce helped Rice kick off her …
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After finding success as a first-time business owner, Mexico resident Kat Rice is expanding her current operation to include local flair.
The Mexico Chamber of Commerce helped Rice kick off her new business, Poppy’s Gifts, and Boutique, this past Monday with a ribbon cutting. The store is an addition to her already successful business Anchor Vape Shop located at 119 S. Jefferson Street just off Mexico’s Square.
“Mexico has been pretty great to me so far with the vape shop,” Rice said. “I thought I would dip my toe a little bit further and so far it’s working out pretty great.”
Rice is a mother of four children and providing for her family was the main reason she initially got involved in owning a business. In 2018 Rice was working at the vape shop she currently operates and an opportunity to purchase the business presented itself.
“It just kind of fell in my lap and now I’m here rocking it,” Rice said.
Rice’s second venture into business came along much in the same way the Anchor Vape Shop did. A similar business owned by a friend was already operating in town but the friend had to close up shop.
Poppy’s Gifts and Boutique features items that are made by local Audrain County residents. When Rice’s friend closed her business it left those local vendors without a retail location to sell their items.
“They were going to be out of job essentially so I said ‘Come with me,’” Rice said. “Here we are.”
Rice also talked to some other local artists and crafters about selling their items in the store. Poppy’s features earrings made by one of the vape shop’s customers. Another local vendor makes signs and gifts out of wood and leather.
The name Poppy’s comes from Rice’s love for the flower the shop is named after. Her love of poppies developed from her love of the movie The Wizard of Oz. Rice has a tattoo on her arm that features the movie’s theme. Coming up with the name of the shop wasn’t easy. Rice said she was having trouble thinking of anything when she looked down at her arm.
“I just couldn’t come up with anything, just overthinking it,” Rice said. “I just looked down and ‘Hello,” Rice said. “Okay, I was overthinking that.”
The hours of operation will not change with the addition of Poppy’s. The vape shop and boutique will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
