Local Business Spotlight: Lincoln Park Emporium

a small business with a passion for supporting historic downtown Greeley

More than just an antique store, the Lincoln Park Emporium really is a small marketplace with different departments and a variety of wares–a little something for everyone!

In the back corner there is even a section reserved for creative classes and community events where we were able to connect for our August Board meeting. A true staple in the downtown business community, the Lincoln Park Emporium was the perfect place for us to consider our legacy and the strategic impact we hope to make in the coming months.

History of the Building & Business

Though the Lincoln Park Emporium has only been in business (as we know it today) since 2009, the building has a rich history. Originally, when the downtown was Greeley’s economic center, the building was a JC Penny’s.

Then in the 80’s after JC Penny’s moved to the Greeley Mall, Betty and Bob Tointon bought the building to help ensure that the downtown remained vibrant and vital. They brought in independent antique vendors to sell their goods on consignment. Dozens of lovely booths filled with unique, hand-selected and refurbished items lined the edges of the massive space. Unfortunately, due to Betty’s health, the Tointon’s eventually had to close their doors in 2008. Around that time, the current owners Mary and Odie Roberts had recently relocated to Greeley from Portland Oregon. Wanting to get more connected to the community, Mary started volunteering with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). On a couple of occasions, Mary found herself lamenting, “Where are the larger antique stores–why aren’t there any here in Greeley?” Her colleagues at the DDA responded, “Why don’t you open one of those stores you’ve been talking about!” Delighted that someone wanted to breathe new life into the building with a similar business, the Tointon’s gladly rented the building to Mary and Odie. As the business grew, the Roberts were eventually able to purchase the building in 2015. 

Mary & Odie Roberts

Odie & Mary Roberts

The Business Today

Today the Lincoln Park Emporium is a small business with a passion for supporting historic downtown Greeley. Thoughtfully curated and organized, it has a friendly, inviting atmosphere. It is comprises several niche boutiques or sections:

  • Miss Mary’s Kitchen offers many new baking/culinary supplies and gadgets that are not available at nearby stores. 

  • The Bedding Balcony, in the mezzanine area of the store, has everything for your bedroom–from sheets to bed frames.

  • The Gift Shop contains travel accouterments such as greeting cards or postcards and a “made in Greeley” section dedicated to local souvenirs, artwork and handmade treasures.

  • Antiques and used items that have been thoughtfully selected for their beauty and value can be found throughout the store.

  • Creative Space/Venue for hosting cooking classes (complete with an overhead mirror), artist workshops, community events and meetings is situated in the back corner. With a modest $40 set-up/clean-up fee and flexible hours to host your event, it is a great space to convene! Visit their website to learn more about reserving the space and about the upcoming events that are open to the public.

While sitting down with Mary to discuss her business and her connection to downtown Greeley, it became immediately apparent just how much she and Odie have invested in this community. Unlike so many who have by circumstance or chance ended up in Greeley (myself included), Mary and Odie specifically chose to settle here. After living in several large cities and touring across the US with a set of criteria about what they wanted in a home, they selected Greeley–for its diversity, its history, its inclusive approach to businesses, its civic involvement/investment and the generosity of its people. I think it is this perspective that compels Mary and Odie to participate and to see their business as a community service of sorts–an avenue to contribute something that is needed by the community. Just an hour after our board meeting that morning, I bumped into Mary at a strategic planning meeting for the downtown where she was doing just that–serving our community from her position as a business owner by advocating for the responsible and neighborly stewardship of Greeley’s water rights. 

If you are looking for a partner or ally seeking to build and better the Greeley community, be sure to pop into the Lincoln Park Emporium, Mary and Odie would love to meet you! 

Greeley Creative District