Ever wondered how to make your dorm room feel like home without breaking the bank? Zelicks just hosted an incredible back-to-school plant pop-up in San Marcos! Students found everything from easy-care succulents to unique macrame hangers, all from local vendors. What’s your secret to a cozy student space?
San Marcos recently buzzed with a vibrant “Back-to-School Plant Pop-Up” at Zelicks on August 23rd, providing an inviting atmosphere for returning university students and local residents alike. This unique event aimed to help students personalize their new living spaces, from apartments to dorm rooms, with a diverse selection of greenery and artisanal goods, fostering a sense of community right at the start of the academic year.
The pop-up showcased a collective of passionate local vendors, each contributing a distinctive offering. Attendees had the opportunity to explore a verdant array of plants and flowers from Happy Hole Flower Farm, Smiling Plants, and Tickle Root, alongside beautifully crafted plant hangers from Martian Macrame, ensuring every visitor could find something to enhance their “dorm decor” and living environment.
Among the enthusiastic shoppers was San Marcos resident Dani Longoria, who expressed a clear preference for supporting “local businesses” over larger chain stores. Longoria highlighted the intimate and community-focused nature of such events, noting, “I like buying here because it’s more intimate, since the vendors cater to the community. And I feel that these plants last a lot longer,” underscoring the value of local craftsmanship and personalized service in “student life”.
The spirit of welcoming students back was palpable among the organizers and vendors. As one representative articulated, the pop-up was designed to offer “a variety of treasures that they can take home to their new apartments to make them feel more like home,” illustrating the thoughtful approach to making the transition back to campus life smoother and more enjoyable for the student population.
Vendor selections were thoughtfully curated with “student life” in mind, prioritizing ease of “plant care”. Ande Beasley of Smiling Plants specifically recommended resilient options, stating, “I would definitely recommend something that is going to be ‘set it and forget it.’ So succulents such as cacti, will thrive as long as you can provide enough sunlight for them,” making it easier for busy students to maintain their new botanical companions.
Carey Jones from Tickle Root also noted the popularity of Gregg’s Mist among students, explaining its appeal by saying, “When it blooms it attracts butterflies. Some of the students really like the idea of having butterflies and bees on their balcony to look at.” Beyond plants, Nina Leonard of Nectar Finds offered natural raw sunscreen, beeswax candles, and local honey, catering to students returning from summer with a desire for natural and wholesome products.
Adding another layer to the festive atmosphere, Zelicks hosted a “tap takeover” featuring Austin-based Meanwhile Brewing. Jakeb Copeland, an area sales representative for Meanwhile, creatively engaged attendees by providing small cups of hops and grains, allowing them to smell and taste the raw ingredients used in various beers, subtly integrating the brewing experience into the overall “San Marcos events” ambiance.
The “Back to school” plant pop-up at Zelicks successfully combined commerce with community, offering practical “dorm decor” solutions and fostering local engagement. It provided a unique and memorable way for students to settle back into their academic routines while supporting “local businesses” and adding a touch of green to their “student life” in San Marcos.
