This spring, we opened our 7th vendor location—this time inside Painted Tree Boutiques in Franklin, Tennessee. It wasn’t perfect. We forgot power cords. Our wallpaper roll is still sitting in the studio. Our display shelves are still being built. We forgot half of our belongings (no make-up on this trip-—watch at your own risk!) But we showed up—and we opened.
At Hive Craft Cocktails, we’ve grown from one market table in Cincinnati to a multistate retail presence built on grit, humor, and bold branding (and we are just getting started). Each Painted Tree location we open teaches us something new, and Franklin was no exception.
The Power of Painted Tree (and Owning Your Brand)
Painted Tree is a national boutique collective where small business owners lease beautiful retail space, while the Painted Tree team handles staffing, transactions, taxes, and daily operations. It’s a plug-and-play opportunity to scale your business to give you the opportunity to come with a strong brand and a clear message.
And here's the truth after seven locations: you must bring your brand. Not a copy of someone else’s. Not something safe. Something real.
When your display feels like an experience, your story makes people linger. Whether it’s handcrafted itemss (like ours), resale (like ours), vintage finds, or handmade baked goods or candy—what sells is connection.
A Franklin Launch to Remember
After a long setup day, we hit the road back to Cincinnati with a car full of empty coffee cups and the sweet smell of Tennessee BBQ. We wrapped the trip with a spontaneous stop at Buffalo Trace Distillery for Ken (bourbon joy = achieved).
No, our display wasn’t perfect. But it was honest, full of heart, and already generating sales within hours. That’s the kind of traction you get when you put your product—and your purpose—out there unapologetically.
Side note, the Franklin, TN store is absolutely beautiful! So many talented vendors and a cute coffee shop inside. You definately could get lost for hours in there!
Thinking About Becoming a Vendor?
If you’ve been doing craft fairs, online sales, or dreaming of a retail space without the overhead—Painted Tree might be your next move. They’re always welcoming new vendors, but space goes quickly.
👉 Apply here: www.paintedtree.com/vendors
Final Thoughts
Perfection is overrated. Progress is not.
Our Franklin setup may still be a work in progress, but the Honey & Fetch is alive, and the buzz is building. Whether you’re on vendor spot #1 or #7 like us—trust your brand, show up fully, and grow as you go.
We’ll be here—laughing at our forgotten power cords, sipping a cocktail, and cheering you on.
— Melissa Benson Thornton
Founder, Honey & Fetch Gifts, XOXO Greetings, & Hive Craft Cocktails
Now open in 7 Painted Tree locations including Franklin, TN
Shop online: www.xoxogreetings.com or www.hivecraftcocktails.com