Two Local Entrepreneurs Win 2019 Battle of the Pop-Up
Women-Owned Businesses KP Balloons and Sassy Scents Receive Free Retail Space for Four Months
JOLIET, Ill. — June 27, 2019— Two local women entrepreneurs, Kimberly L. Price of KP Balloons and Bridget Willis of Sassy Scents, have won Louis Joliet Mall’s 2019 Battle of the Pop-Up. As part of their prize package, these small businesses and their founders will receive four months of free rent in the mall. Price and Willis also receive a $500 merchandising package that includes interior signage, table-printed displays and graphic design services. Both stores are scheduled to open Monday, July 1.
“I am so thankful and proud that KP Balloons was chosen to be the new store at Louis Joliet Mall,” said Price. “This is really a dream come true for me, and I look forward to joining the Louis Joliet team!”
Inspired by years of decorating for her daughter’s birthday parties, Price, a 36-year Chicago resident, creates fantastic arches, frames, “red carpets,” figures, columns, shapes and other decor using colorful balloon designs. Prior to this first brick-and-mortar store at Louis Joliet, Price has been operating her business largely via her Facebook page and word-of-mouth. She has used thousands of balloons to design memorable parties for birthdays, graduations, quinceanera’s and more.
Louis Joliet Malls second winner of the Battle of the Pop-Ups contest is Bridget Willis of Sassy Scents.
“I am so thankful that we were chosen to be a new store at Louis Joliet,” said Willis, who was born and raised in Chicago. “We look forward to delivering a fun and fragrant experience to shoppers and we are really excited about partnering with the team at Louis Joliet Mall.”
Sassy Scents products consist of naturally scented body oils, essential oils, and scented body butters. While the company’s oils are manufactured in the U.S., the body butters are handmade and include only natural ingredients. Prior to opening at Louis Joliet, Willis sold Sassy Scents online and at pop-up events throughout Chicago.
“While we have more than 50 scents to choose from, our top scents for women are: Bellah Amor, Sophistication, Classy Girl, Sassy Girl. Some of our top scents for men include Alpha Male, Handsome, Mannish, and Savage,” Willis said. “Soon we’ll be launching our Sip and Scent experience, as well as our Sassy Babies and Sassy Kids product line.”
“This contest really helps propel the ideas and dreams of people in our community and we’re very proud to help local entrepreneurs realize their dream,” said Sandy Maldonado- Martinez, Louis Joliet’s marketing director. “This year we saw so many good ideas for Battle of the Pop-Up, and we are really looking forward to working with Kimberly and Bridget and introducing their products to our shoppers and the community at large.”
About Louis Joliet Mall
Louis Joliet Mall features a wide selection of stores including Macy’s, JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, Pandora, Victoria’s Secret, Aeropostale, Maurices, Foot Locker, American Eagle Outfitters, Justice, H&M, Express, The Finish Line, as well as a 14-screen Cinemark theater. Dining options range from Friday’s and Panera Bread to Panda Express and Taco Bell.
Louis Joliet Mall is located at 3340 Mall Loop Drive in Joliet, Ill. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Restaurant, department store and holiday hours may vary. For more information, visit ShoppingLouisJolietMall.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
# # # #
CONTACT:
Sandy Maldonado-Martinez, Marketing Director
Louis Joliet Mall
SMartinez@starwoodretail.com
(815) 439-1000
