New boutique store, Dragonfly and Birch, opening on Main Street!
Front window of Dragonfly and Birch. Photo courtesy of Merrill Guerra.
by Sara Swanson
Dragonfly and Birch is a new boutique store on Main Street opening Wednesday, July 19. The shop features the creations of artists and artisans from around the state of Michigan whose work focuses on nature and sustainability. Merrill Guerra, the store’s owner, creates home décor and smaller furniture items from pieces that have been thrifted and then upcycles them to give them fresh life and bring joy to new owners.
The store’s offerings will evolve as Guerra continues to find fun, meaningful, and interesting creations and meets other talented craftspeople and artists. Currently the store boasts a wide variety of home décor; handmade soaps, candles, and perfumes; art prints and stationery; tea towels and pillows; and more from artists from Jackson, Adrian, Ypsilanti, and locations farther afield like Berkley, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City.
The store has a bright, open, relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. There are plans to start offering a variety of classes in the future, from learning crafting to developing your intuition. It will also serve as the home base for Guerra’s real estate brokerage, Red Barn Realty, which is home to local Realtor®, old- and historic home expert, and skeleton decoration celebrity Jaimie Schmidt.
Guerra is an experienced entrepreneur with over 20 years as a business owner. She received a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. She was recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners with the 2009 Pioneering Spirit Award, Zell Lurie as its MBA Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, as well as StartUp Nation as one of the Top 200 Leading Moms in Business for 2009. As CEO and founder of RealKidz, Inc., a start-up company providing branded apparel for plus-size girls located in Depot Town, Ypsilanti, she generated extensive press coverage in BusinessWeek, NewYorkTimes.com, Women Entrepreneur, The Detroit Free Press, Ann Arbor Business Review, and Crain’s Detroit Business.
Guerra feels a strong commitment to her community. Before moving to Manchester in 2021, she supported several local community and school organizations through volunteering, leadership, sponsorships, and advertising such as Ypsilanti Community High School, Lincoln School Athletics, Lincoln Little League, Lincoln High School Drama and Band, Relay for Life, and Community Music. She has served nonprofit organizations throughout her career such as filling the role of President for the Depot Town Association Community Development Corporation, an organization promoting economic development in Ypsilanti. She was the founder and first president of the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, the founder and coordinator of the Stanford in Michigan Women’s Group, and served as the president and treasurer for Chapter BP of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization with national and regional projects supporting women’s education. As a new resident in Manchester, she is very much looking forward to continuing that tradition and has already become a member of several local organizations where she is volunteering.
Guerra explained that in almost every part of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes change. She stated, “The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life. A dragonfly is a symbol of change, transformation, and self-realization. It teaches us to love life, to rejoice and have faith even amidst difficulties. In many cultures, most predominantly Celtic, birch trees are symbols of new beginnings, good luck, healing, resilience, and adaptability.”
She continued, “The store’s name, Dragonfly and Birch, is a symbol this store is about much more than just selling goods to people. It’s about helping people to find joy in their lives, helping them to find themselves, and helping the larger community through providing a bright, vibrant light of opportunity and positive energy. As we learn and grow, we will adapt to the needs of the market and the community and continue to evolve as the community itself does.”
You can follow Dragonfly and Birch on Instagram and Facebook @dragonflyandbirch or check out some of their offerings on their website, dragonflyandbirch.com.
Interior of Dragonfly and Birch. Photo courtesy of Merrill Guerra.
Interior of Dragonfly and Birch. Photo courtesy of Merrill Guerra.
Interior of Dragonfly and Birch. Photo courtesy of Merrill Guerra.
Interior of Dragonfly and Birch. Photo courtesy of Merrill Guerra.
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