Nestled between a tree-lined drive and active farmland is a greenhouse and rustic-modern home goods destination boutique.

Located at 270 Helm Drive in Pasco, Market North Co. is about a five-minute drive from the Road 68 Walmart, yet it offers visitors a rural setting away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Pasco shopping area.

On offer is a mix of trendy yet tasteful high-quality home furnishings and décor, kitchen items, baby, kids, women’s clothing, indoor and outdoor plants, candles, honey, locally-made personal care products and more, accompanied by a coffee counter selling steaming brews, tea and smoothies.

Market North celebrates two years in business this month.

“The customers have been great. Even having it this far out, it’s actually gone really good. The locals in our community are really supportive and want to see small business thrive. It’s amazing to see the support,” said owner Britany Tapani.

The shop next door

The idea for the boutique evolved over time, starting out with successful annual yard sales of thrifted finds held with friends.

“We had a lot of people coming to those events and it gave us the idea to have an actual building and a store,” Tapani said.

Another factor that inspired her to shift to a brick-and-mortar shop was seeing friends’ success while operating similar stores in other areas. “I realized we didn’t really have anything like this in Tri-Cities,” she said.

When her youngest started school, she also had more time on her hands to make it possible.

“I don’t like to be gone a lot, so I said if I was going to do something, it has to be at my house,” she said.

Her husband, Brad, has a background in construction and runs the other family businesses, Peak Contractors Inc. and Silverline LLC, both in Kennewick.

The couple drew on their experience to build the shop next door to their family home.

Market North started out being open one weekend per month, then ramped up to every Friday and Saturday.

Opening during the pandemic in December 2020 wasn’t bad for business either. “People were looking for something to do that felt normal,” Tapani said.

Growing the business

January 2022 saw a revamp of the space with the addition of a checkout counter and more display walls. A restroom, back room and the coffee counter also were added.

The greenhouse arrived this past summer to accommodate the seasonal sale of indoor and outdoor plants. Tapani loves to garden, cultivating her own plants in addition to sourcing them from Walla Walla Nursery.

“It’s a hobby that’s gotten a little bigger than I intended,” she said with a smile. “I love re-envisioning and refreshing my home with new decor and my biggest hobby is gardening. I’m the type of person who has a million different hobbies and having the shop has given me the opportunity to blend my interests together and share that with others. It’s what’s made it so fun to move in this direction.”

Over time, Tapani transitioned to carrying predominately new items purchased via wholesale that she refreshes on a seasonal basis with the help of her niece, Laura Tanninen, and a couple of friends.

She said it takes a lot of research to find the type and quality of items she wants to feature.

“It’s the things that I love, that’s what I try to put in the store – things that are more tried and true,” she said.

She described it as a constant learning process. “Some stuff we order in and it does great and others not so much, so you phase it in and out. ... As much as I hate trends, it is what sells,” she said.

Local, local, local

Market North also works with about 20 Tri-City vendors to offer an assortment of locally-made goods.

Some local brands include Nia and Co. body scrubs, Es Lit Candles, Morales Cruz Farm goat milk soaps and Branches of Home pottery and baby pacifier holders.

Though space is limited in the 2,200-square-foot shop, Tapani does welcome local makers to contact her about selling at Market North. She currently is seeking only smaller-size products and asks prospective sellers to consider if their product will complement Market North’s inventory before reaching out.

DeLaney Brooks of Kennewick enjoys shopping the shop’s curated selection, both for herself and when seeking gifts for others.

“I love that I can find a variety of things from Market North. From things for my toddler to our local elderberry syrup to throw pillows and a new candle to some herbs for my garden. A go-to in town for me and my family,” she said.

Tapani also assembles gift baskets for Realtors to give their clients and others seeking a themed or handpicked gift. Customers can call to request this service and pick up the basket at their convenience.

Market North features four big shopping events each year when new merchandise drops. Tapani noted that the Christmas event held the first weekend of November and the spring launch are the biggest.

Market North Co.: 270 Helm Drive, Pasco. Contact: 509-710-2249; marketnorthpasco.com; Facebook, Instagram. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.