Inspired by health and environmentally conscious consumers in California, Alexandra and Raul - partners in life and business - moved to South Florida and created Mima Market, an artisan shop in downtown Miami Shores offering locally-made food, drink, and home goods in eco-friendly, to-go packaging. After leaving behind their careers in art production and education, they refocused on offering a vibrant space for healthy goods, beautiful art, and great conversation with a mission on reducing plastic use in food packaging.
Read this interview with Alexandra to learn more about this duo and their vision for the future of Mima Market.
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How did you become interested in organic, sustainable products?
Our interest in organic and sustainable products grew substantially while living in Oakland, California. We were so impressed by how people consumed consciously: locally, with the least possible packaging; for their health as well as the well-being of their environment. I’ll never forget the talking-to I got for drinking almond (a fruit that requires lots of water) milk during a drought!
What was your motivation to start Mima Market?
Mima Market began because Raul and I wanted to create a space for local artisans to share their passions, as well as a place for consumers to find locally-made products. Our professional backgrounds are in art production and education, so we are interested in not only selling goods, but also in demonstrating the true value of supporting a community of makers.
Where do you find your products?
We find our products three main ways: farmers markets, word of mouth (both by our vendors and customers), and Instagram. And it’s like a constantly-expanding web: the more people you meet, the more people there are to meet. It’s a really exciting time in Miami, you can feel it.
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What are the most important aspects you look at when choosing your suppliers?
The most important aspects in choosing a product are it being made locally (for us that means South Florida), with organic or nonGMO ingredients (in case of home goods, without toxins), and that it’s not packaged in plastic. That narrows down our options quite a bit! From there, we choose depending on taste, of course, as well as the passion of the maker and value to the consumer.
Why do you buy only from independent producers?
We buy from independent producers as well as from local companies, such as the breweries. But we avoid mass-produced items as much as possible because we feel the quality lessens and waste increases. We also like to directly support makers, be it chefs or producers or artistans, who are so passionate about what they do! Many of them carry down family traditions, others have made a life change by growing a pasttime into a business.
What makes you stand out in a sea of retailers?
Local, organic, and eco friendly products are trending (thankfully!) so what we find most unique about our shop is the opportunity it lends to connect more deeply with our community. Raul and I feel at home here, and that leads to customers opening up about their health journeys, kids playing music with us, community members brainstorming ways to liven up the downtown. And we love it when a customer is in the shop and one of our vendors walks in. Nowadays, it’s rare to have a direct link to the person who makes your cheese, roasts your coffee, or pours your candles!
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How do you provide customers with a more eco-friendly shopping experience?
At Mima Market, nearly all of our products are packaged in reusable or biodegradable packaging. We get the raw honey in bulk so can refill people’s jars, we give a bottle credit for those who return their kombucha bottles, and use paper and glass whenever possible. It’s not perfect (zero waste is the goal!) but these shifts do make a difference, and also spark conversations with our customers about our collective carbon footprint.
What is your goal with Mima Market?
Our goal is to offer a space in Miami Shores for healthy goods, beautiful art, and great conversation.
Mima Market
9725 NE 2nd Avenue - Miami Shores, FL 33138
Monday-Saturday: 9am-7pm
305-751-4300
shop@mimamarket.com
We are glad to have Mima Market in our community and wish them the best for their business!
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