From posts to portraits: Rachel’s Merchant Mondays on display at Port Public Library

Now that effort will be celebrated next month at the Port Washington Public Library with “Portraits of Our Small Businesses: Celebrating a Year+ of RMM,” scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 5 p.m.  to 6:45 p.m. in the Hagedorn Room.

The exhibit highlights more than a year of Rachel’s Merchant Monday, a Facebook-based project created by librarian Rachel Fox to connect residents with local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Fox, who serves as director of children’s services at the library, said the idea began unintentionally after she posted about a quietly opened shop, Shoreline Cards, on her personal Facebook page. The post quickly drew attention from residents asking about the store’s location, revealing a strong community interest in supporting local businesses.

“That moment made me realize something important,” Fox said. “Our community wanted to know about and support the small businesses around them.”

What started as a single post evolved into a weekly feature. 

Each Monday, Fox visits a business or nonprofit, meets the people behind it and shares photos and a brief profile online. The initiative has since gained a steady following and participation from local merchants and organizations.

The upcoming exhibit, timed with Small Business Month, will feature photographs of business owners, employees and volunteers who have been highlighted through the project, along with a list of local nonprofits. 

“It is a chance to put faces to the places we pass every day and celebrate the people who make our community unique,” Fox said.

She said the project is a personal effort to give visibility to small businesses that may struggle with foot traffic in the area.

Fox said the May 7 event will offer the community a chance to celebrate local businesses and reflect on the impact of the initiative over the past year. For more information, residents can email rmmopw@gmail.com