There’s something new (soft)opening on Austin Avenue this week, Glass Phoenix Tobacco and Mercantile.

The venture is spear-headed by downtown resident Clint Trimble and co-owners Kyle and Clayton Tannery, experienced retailers from Austin.

Glass Phoenix will carry cigars and other tobacco-related items to fill a hole that otherwise has not been filled downtown. The other aspect is what Trimble describes as a holistic boutique, offering self-care alternatives including CBD products and handcrafted and responsibly sourced lotions and oils. They plan to also carry wellness crystals, smudge sticks, palo santo and more.

“It’s really about giving people an option,” Trimble said.

Trimble said his time spent living and working Downtown Waco helped inform his and his partners’ decision to invest in downtown.

Trimble and his partners share something with Waco, he said – passion. And they want to share their passion for what they offer by putting themselves in the center of everything, downtown.

“There are three reasons you open something: 1, to fill a need; 2, to do a thing better; 3, lastly, to form a clubhouse because you’re passionate about something. We think we have a unique ability to do all three,” Trimble said.

He also looks forward to partnering with other downtown merchants on events and has already got some shop-based community projects brewing.

Stop by to see what they’ve got. Stop by to see the funky floors and mural created by local artists. Or stop by just to say hi.