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The Big Shop RTC opens in Green Bay

In addition to thrift items, the store plans to carry a selection of Caribbean sodas, spices and snacks

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June 16, 2023

GREEN BAY – Already a successful entrepreneur, Nemard Derron Wilson, who was born in Jamaica and returned to the United States eight years ago, said he knows a thing or two about starting and running a small business.

Wilson – the owner of Lil Jamaica on Broadway Street in Green Bay and the Lil Jamaica food truck – is now the proud owner of The Big Shop RTC (resale, thrift, consignment), a newly-opened thrift shop of sorts located at 1142 S. Military Ave.

In Jamaica, Wilson said, a big shop – which opened its doors late last month – is a corner store where a person can buy every little thing they need.

So, what will The Big Shop RTC in Green Bay carry?

“Every little thing you need,” Wilson laughed.

The store will carry a wide variety of thrift items (such as clothes, books, paintings and furniture), as well as articles of clothing, paintings, collectibles, handmade body products and candles.

The store will also carry a selection of Caribbean sodas, spices and snacks.

Wilson said he gets the thrift inventory from real estate he acquires and cleans out.

He said he will also be accepting donated items, as well as selling items on consignment.

The Caribbean items Wilson offers in the store are imported through a company in Chicago.

Sandwiched location
The electrician-turned-entrepreneur said the location of The Big Shop in a strip mall on Military Avenue, sandwiched between Dollar General and a laundromat is a fit spot – as there is a lot of foot traffic in the area.

“(It) is close to my house, and it was in a perfect location where it has a lot of traffic,” he said.

//17bec5072710cda5b8dd81b69f4c6e58.cdn.bubble.io/f1686940988032x713571661853259900/richtext_content.webpNemard Derron Wilson

Starting The Bip Shop, Wilson said, was a cumulation of years of thinking about it.

“One morning, I woke up and said, ‘I want to put the idea in motion,’” he said. 

And as they say, Wilson said, the rest was history – The Big Shop held its grand opening celebration May 22 – complete with a visit from the Lil Jamaica food truck.

Wilson said Green Bay’s diversity of many cultures. including the culture of the Green Bay Packers makes his businesses a good fit for the community, and he hopes the community embraces The Big Shop.

“I’m hoping it catches on and people around the area find value in it and like it because thrifting is a sort of recreation,” he said. “And if we could have people come here and find stuff that intrigues them, (it can) prompt another visit. (If they) find value in the store, they come back to the store.”

In addition to himself, Wilson said the store employs one person and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Focused on helping others
Wilson said the shop, as well as Lil Jamaica, is on a mission to help others.

He said he makes a conscious effort to do community outreach – providing meals to families in need, adopting families during the holidays and hosting an appreciation lunch for the Green Bay Police Department – all free of charge.

//17bec5072710cda5b8dd81b69f4c6e58.cdn.bubble.io/f1686941015084x286599332010671230/richtext_content.webpThe store will carry a wide variety of thrift items (such as clothes, books, paintings and furniture), as well as articles of clothing, paintings, collectibles, handmade body products, candles and a selection of Caribbean sodas, spices and snacks. Jim Paul Photo

Wilson said he hopes to use profits from the Big Shop to fund even more outreach.

On June 25, Wilson said he is sponsoring an event at John Muir Park in Green Bay.

He said the event will include a visit from the Green Bay Police Department – giving children squad car rides.

There will also be music, face painting, bouncy houses and food trucks.

For more information on the event and The Big Shop RTC, check out the store’s Facebook page.

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