The Berkshire Mall – At first glance, The Berkshire Mall may look like any other regional shopping center lined with familiar chain retailers, glowing storefronts, and weekend shoppers wandering the hallways. But behind the glimmering glass and seasonal displays lies something far more meaningful: a collection of local small business carving out their own success stories, one customer interaction at a time.
While many malls across the U.S. have faced decline, The Berkshire Mall is slowly redefining what it means to be a local marketplace giving small businesses a space to grow, thrive, and build lasting relationships with the community. This article explores a few of the standout local entrepreneurs who have brought life, creativity, and resilience to the mall’s evolving identity.
When Emma Rivera first launched her handmade jewelry brand on Etsy in 2019, she never imagined opening a physical store. But as online orders increased and her local following grew, Emma made the leap and opened Luna & Pine Boutique in The Berkshire Mall in 2022.
“It was scary,” she admits. “Renting space in a mall felt like a big step but the mall team worked with me to find a flexible lease that fit my budget and timeline.”
Now, Emma enjoys daily interactions with customers who not only try on her unique earrings and rings but also ask about her creative process. “Being here gave my brand a face,” she says. “People connect more deeply with what I create because they see the person behind it.”
Emma’s story is just one of many that reflect a growing trend: micro-businesses going brick-and-mortar within spaces like The Berkshire Mall. These vendors often start online or at farmers’ markets and graduate to storefronts as demand and confidence grow.
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Tucked near the east entrance of the mall is Cozy Bean Café, a small coffee shop run by married couple Trent and Sheila Moore. What started as a mobile coffee cart in 2018 has now become a local favorite for mall-goers and employees alike.
Trent says the café became more than a caffeine stop. “We realized people come in not just for coffee, but for connection. They chat, stay, and sometimes end up collaborating with us on events.”
Cozy Bean’s success didn’t happen overnight. Like many small businesses, they faced obstacles including supply chain delays and slow foot traffic during off-peak seasons. But with patience, personalized service, and community engagement efforts like poetry nights and charity events, Cozy Bean turned into a key meeting spot within the mall.
They also credit Berkshire’s management team for being supportive and open to creative partnerships. “When we suggested turning the food court into a live music area one Saturday a month, they said ‘Let’s try it.’ That kind of flexibility matters.”
Another small business breathing new life into The Berkshire Mall is Galaxy Comics & Collectibles, opened in late 2021 by longtime collector and enthusiast Marcus Liu. His goal was to create a space that catered to fans of retro games, action figures, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise that large chain stores often overlook.
“Big retailers just don’t carry this kind of inventory,” Marcus explains. “We cater to collectors and casual fans who want to discover something different.”
Galaxy Comics quickly developed a niche following, hosting weekend game tournaments, comic trade-ins, and even cosplay meetups. It’s not just a store it’s a hub for hobbyists and pop culture lovers in the area.
Marcus believes that being inside the mall has helped his business gain more exposure than he expected. “People stumble in all the time, and many end up staying longer than they planned. Some even become regulars.”
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Rather than closing this article with a summary, it’s more fitting to explore where this dynamic is heading. As consumer habits shift and malls rethink their identities, spaces like The Berkshire Mall are increasingly becoming incubators for small business innovation.
Rather than just focusing on anchor tenants and national brands, the future of The Berkshire Mall may lie in its ability to become a hybrid space part retail hub, part community marketplace. This means continuing to offer flexible leasing, promoting local entrepreneurship, and supporting experiential retail that creates reasons for people to stay longer, shop local, and build community ties.
Plans are already underway for seasonal pop-up markets, small business fairs, and “meet the maker” weekends, where visitors can engage directly with creators and learn the stories behind the storefronts. These initiatives not only drive sales but also strengthen the connection between businesses and customers in a way that online platforms can’t replicate.
For small business owners, the mall is no longer just a space for foot traffic it’s a platform for storytelling, collaboration, and sustainable growth. And for shoppers, it’s a chance to be part of something deeper than a transaction: a community that values authenticity, creativity, and local dreams made real.
