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Photo by Hannah Crawford

Many students agree that the Mara Mi products will do well at Target. "I think this will be good for students because they can just go to Target and get the products for less than the boutique," said senior Spencer Tompkins.

In the last few months, more and more products from a small Stillwater company have been popping up on Target shelves around the country.

On Main Street in downtown Stillwater sits a store that has found itself sitting in a pile of success. Mara Mi is a large studio space that has been turned into a modern office supply and card store. It is also known for the seemingly endless flavors of gourmet cupcakes they create in the cafe they have in-store. Now, Mara Mi has taken their business to the next level. Currently and indefinitely, you can find notebooks, stationary, planners and more at your local Target.

Stillwater residents are excited for a hometown company to have the opportunity to display their merchandise on shelves at such a large, popular superstore.

“I think it’s cool how you could walk into Target across the country and see products coming from your own hometown,”  said Sarah Nelson (’16).

“I have lived in Stillwater for my entire life and it never gets old when you see a local company succeed. Small businesses are a very important part of our economy and it’s crucial for communities to support their local stores and businesses,” said Nelson.

The unique thing about their office supplies is that it’s not boring and lifeless like most things in that category are. The products made by Gartner Studios and other companies that Mara Mi sells are colorful, vibrant, and beautiful.

“It’s so great to see some of my favorite things that I could only get at Mara Mi being brought to a large audience and a more easily accessible store,” said Julia Easton (’17).

“Sometimes with all the traffic and crowding downtown I found it hard to get to the Mara Mi store. Everyone goes to Target, and for a way broader range of items. Way more people will be seeing and buying Mara Mi products, giving them publicity and business,” said Easton.

Now that Mara Mi supplies are sold at Target, Stillwater residents will be more likely to buy their locally produced merchandise than what they were buying at the same store before.

“Now that these items are easier to get to and they’re in a common place that I would be going to regardless, I will definitely be buying more Mara Mi school supplies than before,” said Emma Constant (’17).

“Their supplies are so much cuter than most and they make doing work a little easier. I also like that by buying those items versus other supplies because of the fact that I’m supporting a company from my hometown,” said Constant.

Mara Mi office supplies are part of Targets standard inventory. They are not seasonal, temporary or “for a limited time only” which means that from now on you’ll constantly be able to get these products at amy Target in the United States. The introduction of these products to a much greater majority of the public will increase business in the story downtown as well. Only a tiny portion of what the store has to offer is being put out on the shelves, at least for now. On Target shelves you’ll find things like notebooks and planners, but in the store there is a giant array of different products that you wouldn’t see if you didn’t go there, like a massive selection of cards that is sure to satisfy anything you could need to buy a card for. They also have accessories like iPad and iPhone cases, art supplies and loads of candy. With so much to offer, it’s not a surprise that the company is a great success.