With a lot of hard work, and a vision many years in the making, a vacant building in Dowagiac has become the perfect workspace for Tracy Saylor and Robin Bowman, a dedicated and artistic mother and daughter duo with a knack for creating.
Salted Words, named from Colossians 4:6, is a collaborative space for monthly makers markets, and a gorgeously renovated venue at 313 E. Division Street. The front portion of the building is the rentable space: with beautiful hardwood floors, black modern accents, and pristine white walls, offering the perfect canvas for any decor your party will bring. Baby showers, bridal showers, and birthday parties have graced the venue already, with new ideas coming to these ladies daily.
“We have thrown around the idea of hosting floral arranging parties, and wine & canvas type events. We definitely have a passion for parties. Hosting is in our blood!” Robin says. “We just wanted to provide a place that was casual, affordable, new, and modern.”
With a 60 person capacity, they offer a Basic package, Luxury package, and a High End package, with pricing right on the website. The High End package is a dream: Robin and Tracy will decorate, organize, and prepare the space for you – all you have to do is show up. The rental fee includes the party space, a full kitchen, lounge area, and a refurbished bathroom (board + batten!) with the most gorgeous floral wallpaper I’ve ever seen.
Robin and Tracy bought the building in 2019, with the intention of moving in to use it as their workshop. The back room of the building, closed off from the renovated space, serves as their art studio, wood shop, and imagination place, where they can design and construct their work. I was allowed a peek inside, the light scent of sawdust and paint indicating that these two are always creating.
“My mom has always been super artistically charged”, says Robin. “We started creating and making signs for craft shows, then we got into Etsy, and now we have our own market space. I am even getting back into traveling markets. AppleFest in Niles was always our biggest show.”
They toyed with the idea of opening the building to become a home decor store, but with the state that the building was in, they were unsure if it was a possibility. After a complete renovation, and many hours of restoration, it was finally complete.
Once a month, the doors open to the public as they host their already popular Monthly Makers Market. From Thursday – Saturday, their own creations, signs, prints, and woodworking decor, will be on display for purchase, along with items from thirty+ other vendors. Ninety percent of the wares are handmade, and include jewelry, boutique clothing, candles, cards, soaps, hats, macrame, hand-painted flower pots, and so much more. The 2022 August market takes place this weekend, 8/11 – 8/13, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
“Supporting small businesses is back,” Robin says. “We had overwhelming feedback from shoppers after our first market in July. They want to support us and other small businesses. I love it.”
Salted Words is a member of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, and they are ecstatic about the exciting and ambitious ten year plan for the city. “Dowagiac is so focused on bringing community-based events and camaraderie back to our town,” says Robin. “People are getting excited again to love where they live.”
The market this weekend, at 313 E. Division Street, will include new vendors, food trucks, baked goods, fresh coffee, a bouquet bar, and an awesome and unique shopping experience. The market will be open from 10 a.m – 6 p.m, Thursday 8/11, Friday 8/12, and Saturday, 8/13. To learn more about Salted Words, and to shop their website, visit saltedwords.com, and be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Congratulations, Tracy and Robin!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
