The Green Light: First Montana Store to Carry New Retail Display Unit

One of the first things customers see when they walk into the hip eco-boutique on one of the busiest corners in downtown Missoula is a new retail display unit full of Xplorer Maps’ hand-drawn art maps, magnets, postcards, coasters and more.

The Green Light, located at 301 North Higgins, is the first store in Montana to carry Xplorer Maps’ new hand-made floor display unit designed to maximize valuable retail space while highlighting the company’s hand-drawn artwork and sharing its unique story.

The Green Light’s owner, Sabrina Smith, and Maggie Brock, the manager/buyer, first noticed Xplorer Maps’ hand-drawn story maps at Helena’s HandMade Montana Fair this spring and knew that they would be a good fit for their store, which carries sustainable, hand-made products from 60+ local artists.

“The drawings just blew our minds,” Brock said. “We like to tell the story of our artists. It’s a local company, and the co-owner hand draws everything. It is really cool stuff. It’s not just maps. The puzzles, coasters, and cards are awesome.”

The Green Light carries items ranging from apparel and jewelry, wallets and bags, to candles and skincare. Xplorer Maps’ products fit in with the store’s model of conscious consumerism, Smith says. “We know all of the vendors by first name. It’s important for customers to know where their money is really going. We carry products that are made in the USA and support a variety of businesses, including those that are inclusive, sustainable, and women-owned.”

Greg Robitaille, owner and co-founder of Xplorer Maps, said that he is proud to partner with The Green Light and is excited about the possibilities with the new retail display unit.

“Ever since the Green Light opened 10 years ago, it has been one of my favorite stores in Missoula,” Robitaille said. “I feel that it represents everything that is Missoula – eclectic taste, unique style, eco-friendly, and fair trade committed. It is a great fit with our unique, handmade and high-quality brand.”

Working with Greg and the team at Xplorer Maps has been a great experience, Smith said. “When I went to the Xplorer Maps’ warehouse to check out the display, I had my three kids with me. They had been swimming in the river and were all wet and muddy. They showed us around and gave us magnets and Big Dipper coupons. Everyone is wonderful over there.”

The retail display unit has been in place at the Green Light since July and was created in partnership with Blue Earth Design, a Colorado company that handcrafts and manufactures the units. Read the article about the partnership here.

Caption: The Green Light's manager/buyer, Maggie Brock, is pictured on the left. Sabrina Smith, the owner, is on the right.