EP 196: THROUGH THE LENS OF A LOCAVORE WITH CAROLINE WEAVER

04/09/25 • 50 min

Caroline Weaver is an obsessive shopper, former specialty shop owner, and creator of The Locavore Guide. During her years as a shopkeeper, she yearned for a resource to help others understand what it actually means to "shop small" and to share information about why it’s better for everyone.
In a world of algorithms and convenience, most of us have lost touch with the ways in which shopping acts as a gateway for community building. Caroline spent a year walking hundreds of miles through every borough of New York City to get a grip on what’s out there and where to find it and to learn about how the small business economy works on a bigger scale.
Through her research, Caroline discovered that NYC really does have it all. The Locavore Guide is here not only for locating that thing you need to buy but also to help you learn how to use your regular errands as a reason to get out and engage with your surroundings and visit neighborhoods you’ve yet to explore. Join Caroline in seeing the city through the lens of a Locavore!
Here, Caroline shares her journey from running a specialty pencil store in her early 20s to developing the amazing directory that is The Locavore Guide. She dives into all the lessons she learned as a young retail shop owner and why she’s passionate about keeping the pulse on independent retail. Caroline also shares her bicycle-powered sourcing strategy, how she tackled the holiday season, how she decides what goes on sale, and her take on tariffs.
PS -Don’t forget to take Caroline’s Shop Survey (linked below)!

We are doing our first ever open call! You can submit your store or favorite store to be on the podcast because every store has a story behind it! Go to theretailwhorepodcast.com, click on SUBMIT YOUR STORE, fill out an easy form and we’ll see you on the mic!

What’s Inside:

Caroline’s journey from shop owner to developing The Locavore Guide
Why Caroline’s passionate about taking the temperature of independent retail
Caroline’s take on tariffs

Mentioned In This Episode:

The Locavore Website
Caroline Weaver on Instagram
The Locavore on Instagram
The Locavore on TikTok
The Shop Survey

What’s Inside:

Caroline’s journey from shop owner to developing The Locavore Guide
Why Caroline’s passionate about taking the temperature of independent retail
Caroline’s take on tariffs

Mentioned In This Episode:

The Locavore Website
Caroline Weaver on Instagram
The Locavore on Instagram
The Locavore on TikTok
The Shop Survey

Previous Episode

EP 195: THE HOLIDAY POP-UP BREAKDOWN WITH ANDREW FEGLER

Andrew Fegler is the brains and beauty behind That’s So Andrew, the sassy gift brand for the girls, gays, and theys. He’s been sailing the entrepreneurial seas for over a decade and has gone from manufacturing to having a brick & mortar to creating an exclusive wholesale brand. Now, he’s full-circling back to open the doors of a pop-up gift shop!
In this conversation, Andrew brings us up to speed on an eventful, busy season and his plans to turn his holiday pop-up shop into a year-round venture. He’s a champion of bringing pay transparency to the world of retail and here, Andrew dives into why it’s important for the industry. Andrew also spills all the tea on his holiday pop-up shop experience, plans for expansion, a full budgeting and inventory breakdown, and more.
MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!
What’s Inside:

A recap of Andrew’s holiday pop-up shop and his upcoming plans
Why pay transparency is so important for the retail industry
Andrew’s budget breakdown

Mentioned In This Episode:
That's So Andrew on Instagram
That’s So Andrew on TikTok
thatssoandrew.com

Next Episode

EP 197: STARTED WITH A BEAD KIT, NOW WE’RE HERE WITH MARRIN COSTELLO

Marrin Costello is an American businesswoman, designer, and brand architect. Her career as a creative began at age seven, after receiving a bead kit for Christmas. Selling her creations at local San Francisco Bay Area craft fairs and local boutique retailers while in grammar school, Costello's love for both business and fashion was realized at a very young age.
Less than a decade later, a childhood hobby has transformed into a global luxury lifestyle brand — with jewelry at its core. While studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, Costello's collection was featured on American Idol — and a business was born. Marrin Costello’s collections have since been
featured in Vogue, Huffington Post, In Style, and US Weekly — and she has personally been recognized as a lifestyle influencer, style icon, and tastemaker.
Here, Marrin walks us through her journey from making jewelry as a hobby to a career in fashion show event production and coming full circle as the owner of a successful jewelry brand. She shares how her life changed after hurricanes Helene and Milton, lessons she learned, and how she bounced back. Marrin also shares how she finds a work/life balance, how her faith helps her through obstacles, and top trending designs for her brand.
For 20% off a purchase from Marrin’s website, use discount code TRW20 or head directly to this link! https://marrincostellojewelry.com/discount/TRW20

MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

What’s Inside: