The most recent small business to open in town is Potosi’s Hub: People, Pages, and Parcels, run by Melissa Emler. The Hub is located in the center of Potosi next to the library. The Hub itself is the building with convenient pack-and-ship services towards the back.
The first 1500 feet is the retail and co-working space called Pages and Parcels. Pages and Parcels sells a variety of things like books, kids’ toys, candy, cards, handbags, games, cooking spices, and lots more. Behind the retail store is a free co-working space that gives individuals or groups a space for independent or collaborative projects. Melissa provides Wi-Fi, copies, space to work, separate meeting rooms, and closed-off soundproof areas for phone calls. There is plenty of comfortable seating and a community kitchen with snacks to provide a welcoming work environment.
Melissa’s idea for The Hub sparked from her other business, Modern Learners, an educational business run out of New York. Melissa works with 17 schools and creates a list of books that they should have for teacher professional development.
Instead of giving the schools different places to buy the books, she made The Hub so the books could be bought directly through her. Before opening The Hub, Melissa was running her book-selling list out of her living room, but the business was growing and it became uncomfortable training people at her home with limited space. Her goal was always to “hire locally and serve globally.” She completed that goal when she opened The Hub: People, Pages, and Parcels in October 2024.
Since The Hub opened, Melissa has continued to learn and grow from the lessons she came across while building her business. Her advice is to take the risk and do it. Balancing home to work life can be challenging at times for Melissa. She admits she is a workaholic, but managing her own business gives her complete flexibility, so when her family needs something, she is willing to slow down and prioritize her family to give them their needs.
The Hub: People, Pages, and Parcels has brought Melissa Emler a lot of success. “I always wanted to belong to a co-working space. I just never thought I would own the co-working space,” said Melissa. As someone who has checked out and shopped at The Hub, I would recommend to anyone to visit and look at the products they sell and use the workspace that is provided. The Hub: People, Pages, and Parcels is a perfect addition to Potosi.