Former Sweet Pickins vendors find fresh start at Paradise Vintage Market

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A month after Sweet Pickins suddenly closed its doors, some of the small business owners forced to pack up with little warning are finding a fresh start just down the road.

Several former Sweet Pickins vendors have moved into Paradise Vintage Market in North Fort Myers, where they are rebuilding their booths, continuing classes and trying to move forward after a difficult July.

Among them are Susan McClure and Mary Boyce, the owners of Heart and Soul Creations.

The pair had focused their business on Sweet Pickins before learning the market was closing.

McClure said vendors were given just two days to clear out their merchandise.

“I think the part that was most disappointing was that we were given two days' notice,” McClure said.

But leaving the store was only part of the problem.

McClure said she expected to receive money from June and July sales. When she opened her final check, she said it only covered June.

“When I opened the check that I received, it was just for June. So we asked what happened to July, and we were told there was no money left,” McClure said.

She said Heart and Soul Creations never received its July sales or security deposit back. McClure also said she later discovered the business had been charged twice for June rent.

McClure and Boyce said they have discussed potentially taking civil action but have not made a decision.

The experience mirrors concerns other Sweet Pickins vendors shared with WINK News when the market closed last month. Several said they were still waiting for money from sales, deposits or rent after being told Sweet Pickins had lost its lease.

At the time, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said the dispute was a civil matter.

Now, McClure and Boyce are focusing on what comes next.

Heart and Soul Creations has opened a new booth inside Paradise Vintage Market, where the pair also has space to continue and expand its workshops.

“It’s been great. Melissa, Beth, all of the employees here have been amazing. Just welcoming us, really allowing us to just customize and build out the booth the way we want,” McClure said.

The pair hopes to grow its workshops at the new location, including private classes, birthday parties and bachelorette parties.

Paradise Vintage Market also held an open house Saturday to kick off Dixie Belle Paint. The event included information about painting classes and other events, along with refreshments and store-wide sales.

Owner Brian Copeland said the market wanted to make the transition easier for vendors coming from Sweet Pickins.

“We gave them their first month rent here free,” Copeland said.

He described the opportunity to help the displaced vendors as a way of passing along some of the support Paradise Vintage Market has received.

Copeland said the market is filling up quickly, with only three vendor booths remaining.

Paradise Vintage Market is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.