A vacant bookstore in the Porter Square Shopping Center is coming back to life in style. The space, once home to Porter Square Books, is now being transformed into the Chartreuse Microbus Collective, a vibrant pop-up marketplace showcasing vintage and artisan goods. Spearheaded by Lexie Hofer Griffith, this unique venture is set to run from mid-November to March, with a grand opening slated for December 1.
From Empty Shelves to Vintage Dreams
For Griffith, the driving force behind Lexie Butterfly Vintage and the mastermind of this project, the Chartreuse Microbus Collective represents more than a business opportunity—it’s a celebration of community and creativity.
Griffith describes the collaboration with Cafe Zing, which remains in the shopping center, as a “serendipitous operation.” After the bookstore relocated in October, Griffith quickly set to work transforming the empty space into a bustling marketplace.
With vendors moving in and a soft opening planned for mid-November, the marketplace is already attracting attention. Griffith has received 62 vendor applications, with space allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to local artists and businesses. Vendors confirmed so far include Wu Made, La Roux Vintage, and Unpredictable Finds.
A Holiday Marketplace for the Community
The Chartreuse Microbus Collective is embracing the holiday season with open arms. “Products are holiday-driven by necessity,” Griffith explained, noting that items will be gift-friendly and festive to match the time of year.
Griffith has carefully curated the layout to maximize visibility and traffic for vendors. Clothing stalls will be placed strategically to balance competition and encourage foot traffic, while the collective’s focus remains on local artisans.
Griffith said her vision goes beyond sales, emphasizing the importance of creating a mutually beneficial space for artists, businesses, and the community. “We are a convoy of vintage goods from bygone eras,” she remarked, adding that the collective’s mission is to keep money circulating locally.
Cambridge Naturals Expands Next Door
The space’s future is already looking bright beyond March. Cambridge Naturals, a beloved health and wellness store that has been in the plaza for 50 years, plans to expand into the former bookstore.
Emily Kanter, co-owner and CEO of Cambridge Naturals, expressed excitement about the partnership between Cafe Zing and Griffith’s pop-up. “We share a lot of customers, and we both share a really strong commitment to creating welcoming community spaces,” Kanter said.
For Cambridge Naturals, the move is timely. “We’ve been bursting at the seams for years,” Kanter noted, explaining that the expansion will nearly double the store’s size to accommodate more stock, office space, and community events. Collaborative events like craft nights with Cafe Zing are also set to grow.
A Personal Journey Shaped by Resilience
Griffith’s journey to creating the Chartreuse Microbus Collective is deeply personal. Inspired by her mother’s “fashionista” roots in Kansas and her own love for vintage fashion, Griffith turned a childhood loss into a lifelong passion. After her family home burned down in 2010, she began searching flea markets in Los Angeles to replace her mother’s cherished wardrobe.
“Most things I’ve actually been able to reacquire,” Griffith said, crediting her mother’s remarkable memory for labels, brands, and details. This quest laid the foundation for Lexie Butterfly Vintage and, ultimately, the new collective.
Why a “Chartreuse Microbus”?
The name Chartreuse Microbus Collective may sound whimsical, but it has a poignant backstory. Griffith credits a favorite childhood song, “Convoy” by C.W. McCall, for the inspiration. The song describes a colorful convoy of trucks, including a “chartreuse microbus,” creating a visual and metaphorical link to her collective’s purpose.
“We are a convoy together through this tumultuous holiday season,” Griffith said. Her vision embraces the challenges of modern retail with humor and determination. “Corporate greed is getting less fashionable,” she added, expressing hope that the collective will foster a sense of community and collaboration.
The Business of Symbiosis
Griffith has poured $8,000 into the start-up costs for the pop-up under her Lexie Butterfly Vintage LLC, expecting only modest profits. But for Griffith, the venture is about more than money. “It’s much more important to me to create a mutually beneficial circumstance for myself and my fellow small-businesses-slash-artists,” she explained.
By prioritizing local businesses and fostering collaboration, Griffith hopes the Chartreuse Microbus Collective will set an example of how independent ventures can thrive. “We want to prioritize keeping money in our community,” she said.
A Community Ready for the Holidays
As Porter Square prepares for the holiday season, the Chartreuse Microbus Collective is poised to be a hub of creativity, connection, and commerce. With its curated selection of vendors, festive atmosphere, and a focus on community impact, the marketplace is more than just a shopping destination—it’s a celebration of what makes local businesses unique.
The plaza, already a vibrant mix of needs and wants, is about to get even more lively. Whether it’s a carefully curated vintage find or a locally crafted gift, visitors are sure to discover something special at this one-of-a-kind pop-up.
