Confetti rains down in Troy on 4 W. Main St. in front of Pop-up during a ribbon cutting ceremony honoring the new ownership of the store. Mandy Havenar, who has taken over ownership, is shown holding the scissors as her sons, Brayden Havenar, 16, to the left of her and Trevor Havenar, 14, right, celebrate with her following the ribbon cutting on Thursday, Oct. 10, along with members of the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kathleen Leese | For Miami Valley Today
Mandy Havenar, far right, the new owner of Pop-up at 4 W. Main in downtown Troy, looks over table decorations in her new business along with her mother, Kathy Daniels, left to right, and sons Trevor, 14, and Brayden Havenar, 16. Havenar hopes to offer an assortment of decorations for rent at the business for those who do not have time to shop for them or do not want to purchase them for special events.
Kathleen Leese | For Miami Valley Today
By Kathleen Leese
For Miami Valley Today
TROY — Mandy Havenar is living her dream as she takes over ownership of Pop-up at 4 W. Main in Troy after former owners Jessica Minesinger and Karen Boone decided to sell the business.
Havenar said she worked with Minesinger on another project and learned the women were “looking to sell, would I be interested.”
Havenar explained, “I actually went to college to do event planning.”
She is also employed full time at Farm Credit Mid-America as an agricultural financial loan officer.
Havenar officially purchased the business on Oct. 1 and a ribbon cutting was held in collaboration with the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Havenar said she has had a lot of support, “Karen and Jessica have been amazing to work with. The Chamber and Troy Main Street have been super welcoming.”
The new owner said her family is a great help as well. Her sons, Brayden, 16, and Trevor, 14, are both happy for their mom.
“They were super excited for me. They’re excited to help. My youngest son wants to help me clean. Super supportive. The whole family is.” She said and added that her mother, Kathy Daniels of Fredericktown, has been a big help as well.
Havenar said her mother is “a huge supporter in this. She is my inspiration.”
Additionally, her friends have been there for her.
“I have a great group of friends. It’s as much fun for them as it is for me,” she said.
Pop-up is an event venue that offers the public a place to hold business meetings, dinner parties, graduations, anniversary parties, bridal and baby showers and rehearsal dinners, book clubs, exercise classes and can provide a place for families to gather for Christmas dinners and parties and Thanksgiving dinners. The venue can accommodate 49 people.
While prices vary, Havenar said a corporate meeting for an hour is $35 and Pop-up can be rented on Saturdays for $300 for four hours.
“We try to keep the prices reasonable,” Havenar explained, adding that the venue is a “great place (for a) rehearsal dinner. You can have the food catered in.”
Food trucks can also serve out of the venue.
Additionally, Havenar hopes to add some new features such as community activities including holding classes such as sewing, crafts and cookie decorating. Churches and other organizations can use the venue for special events. Havenar said The Valley Church, Troy, is going to be at Pop-up for Hometown Halloween on Oct. 26 and will be setting up a photo booth with the Disney character Elsa and other Disney favorites and the Miami East High School wrestling team will set up for the Grand Illumination on Nov.0 29 and will sell hot chocolate from the venue. Local corporations have also been having meetings at Pop-up on a monthly basis.
There is a kitchen with a warming oven, steam tables and a refrigerator for those who want to use those amenities. Catering is also permitted.
Havener is also hoping to offer decorations for rent for those who are too busy or don’t want to buy those items. Individuals can bring their own decorations as well as long as they do not damage the property.
The business is only open for scheduled events although Havener said Hometown Halloween or the Grand Illumination will provide an opportunity for local residents to stop by and have a look at Pop-up. It is also available to see when individuals fill out the inquiry online and she will give them a tour. Those interested can go to www.popuptroy.com or call 937-368-7744 to reserve Pop-up for an event or to learn more.
Havenar is excited about the opportunities her new business will offer the public, businesses and organizations. But she said, it is also an opportunity to teach her sons about doing what they love. She said she hopes it teaches them “you can follow your dreams.”
Havener hopes the public will support the business.
“We’d appreciate the support and the business the way they support everyone downtown,” she said.
