Ali Freno expressed optimism about Carbondale’s future and believes starting a business in the city may lead other entrepreneurs to follow suit.
Freno — a city resident — plans to open the Vinery Plant Co., 39 N. Main St., on June 14, in the same storefront as Pinky’s Family Restaurant, following the recent opening or relocation of other shops and eateries in town.
“I’m from Carbondale, so it was kind of a no-brainer, and Main Street has a lot of potential,” Freno said. “I hope once people see others taking a leap, they will do the same.”
Freno thinks the city has a lot of promise and looks forward to continued growth within the business district.
“I would love to see Carbondale turn into a walkable Main Street with tons of shops and something for everybody — somewhere people can spend an entire day and not get bored,” she said.
In addition to selling plants, Freno also intends to bring an educational component to the shop by offering craft classes, planting workshops and paint-and-sip events.
While Freno, 28, always enjoyed helping her mom in the garden, her love for plants blossomed recently when she moved into her own home. She also feels the new shop will fill a void.
“The idea came from a hobby of mine,” she said. “And there is really nowhere to buy (plants), specifically, other than big-box stores, and there’s not always a very good selection or a healthy selection there.”
Ali Freno holds a plant inside her shop, The Vinery Plant Co., on North Main Street in Carbondale. A grand opening will be held June 14. (Courtesy Ali Freno)
Metaphysical merchandise is for sale in Dagawom in Carbondale. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Candles sit on a shelf in Dagawom in Carbondale. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A framed illustration of Bael, the First King of Hell, sits behind the counter of Dagawom. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Palmistry statues sit on a shelf in Dagawom in Carbondale. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Different types of crystals are sold in Dagawom in Carbondale. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bundles of sage are for sale at Dagawom. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Santeria High Priest Vinny Gaglione poses for a photograph in the room where readings are performed at Dagawom in Carbondale Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Amor de Mami at 46 N. Scott St. in Carbondale Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
MI Mexico Lindo on S. Main St. in Carbondale Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Meanwhile, Dagawom — a shop offering tarot readings and local witchcraft practicing along with retail items including sage, candles, incense, crystals and statues — moved from Park Place, where it originally opened in June 2022, to 16 Salem Ave. earlier this month.
Kristina Kemble, 34, a tarot card reader at the shop known as “Alcina,” stressed the new spot provides the business with new opportunities.
“We were looking for a fresh new look for the shop and we really couldn’t accomplish that in the (other) building,” she said. “It was a little dated and we were looking for something more modern and quaint looking. We hope to bring a very positive metaphysical experience for people — a place where they can come to feel good energy and talk to us about any sort of spiritual vision they’re trying to accomplish. We’re also looking to help people from a meditation perspective and give them other tools to help motivate them.”
Kemble, also a Carbondale resident, felt it was important to keep the shop within the city. The owner, Gloria Miller, also lives in Carbondale, Kemble added.
“We have a pretty decent following and we want to provide a service where people don’t have to go looking for us,” Kemble said. “We love the small-town feeling and sense of community. It’s very homey. You can walk down the street and see at least five people on the regular, and you get to know those people because everyone is so friendly.”
Carbondale Mayor Michele Bannon enjoys seeing an eclectic mix of retailers sprouting up throughout the city.
“I like unique places because they draw people into town and then the other businesses also do well,” she said. “And it’s that forward-thinking spirit going on in town now where people are finding what they’re passionate about and opening businesses that go along with it. One of my favorite things to do is a ribbon cutting, and we just had a new Puerto Rican restaurant — Amor de Mami — open on North Scott Street and we have a new Mexican restaurant — Mi Mexico Lindo — on (South) Main Street.”
Bannon also noted retail chains Starbucks and Chipotle anticipate opening locations at Eighth Avenue and Westside Drive around October.
Additionally, Paulie’s Hot Dogs & Pizza — a popular Wayne County eatery — applied for building permits and will be opening a shop on Pike Street in the former Coach Restaurant & Bar, Bannon said.
Carwanna, a city establishment dating back to the 1920s that specializes in Texas wieners and chili burgers, also reopened about two weeks ago on Salem Avenue and reverted to its authentic recipe, Bannon said.
Despite having similar menus, Bannon is confident both hot dog shops will thrive in the coming years.
“We tend to be foodies up here and competition is great for business,” she said. “With Paulie’s coming in, it brings a new flair. It’s always busy in Honesdale, and we have the same type of clientele, so I think it will do well.”
Bannon pointed to other established retailers like Roselle Department Store and several antique shops as critical pieces of the city’s commercial landscape.
“We have longtime businesses that have stayed strong in the community and served our residents, and we’re really blessed to have (them) stay open, as well,” she said.
Kemble praised Bannon’s leadership, passion and ingenuity as the mayor continually works to help small businesses prosper throughout the city.
“She’s a guiding force,” Kemble said. “People feel like they can go to her for advice because she has a vision for what she wants Carbondale to be. She’s willing to work with people to help make that vision come true and help other people’s visions come true. She finds the perfect collaboration and cohesion to push things forward.”