Explore Vivid Chill – A Local Gem in Great Falls

Jennifer Jo | June 14, 2022

Local Business Spotlight: Vivid Chill, Great Falls

Local Business Spotlight: Vivid Chill, Great Falls

Hello !

This month I had the pleasure of speaking with Markia Tsombikos, the owner of Vivid Chill in The Village of Great Falls. Vivid Chill is my go-to spot for gifts and so much more. Whenever I go in with the intention of picking something up for others, I inevitably leave with something for myself. The shop is that good!

What is Vivid Chill? Vivid Chill is a locally-owned Great Falls shop that carries a beautiful assortment of sustainable and ethically made goods from gifts to clothing to accessories to jewelry to greeting cards to home goods to pantry items. There is even an extensive section of adorable baby gifts (clothing, books, toys). Marika’s mission is to source her inventory solely from the brands she loves and everything she carries falls into at least two of the following categories: eco-friendly, non-toxic, handcrafted, and organic. Approximately 98% of the lines she carries are from women-owned businesses.

How it all Began. The origin story of Vivid Chill is truly inspiring. Marika was not planning to open a small business in the middle of a pandemic with a newborn, but there she was in December 2020 opening the doors. She was 7 months pregnant with an 18-month-old when she saw an adorable storefront come available for rent in The Village. The wheels started turning. She had a background in retail and always had a love for fashion – she studied it, Upon her return to the United States after living in Europe for eight years, Marika knew she wanted to do something creative so she dabbled in everything from metal smithing (hated it!) to sewing. She crafted her own handbags and worked clothing designers, so was very familiar with the trade show circuit.

Each of her past experiences led Marika to realize what she wanted to do when she saw that vacant storefront in the Village. While she had not planned on it, she instantly knew she wanted to create a space where she could showcase her favorite things and support the small businesses and artisans she loved.

While the original Village storefront that inspired her was rented to someone else, Vivid Chill’s current location became available shortly thereafter. Marika did not hesitate when her second chance appeared. She leased the space, planned the build out, researched and sourced all the brands she loved, (had a baby!) and opened Vivid Chill’s Doors just four months later.

What Does the Name "Vivid Chill" Mean? Late one night while rocking her son to sleep, when pondering what to name her shop the name "Vivid Chill" came to Marika. The "Chill" part was easy. She has always been known for being “chill.” The word CHILL was on her license plate! But the word "Vivid" seemed to represent so much of what she loved – vivid colors, energy, connection. "Vivid Chill," although mysterious, perfectly describes the place she was creating.

Ultimately, Vivid Chill is an authentic reflection of who Marika is. She feels incredibly lucky to be able to express herself in this way and have such a positive reception from everyone who comes into the shop. As she explained to me – “This shop represents who I am. When you walk through this store you get to know me. And if you like it, you and I will probably be great friends.”

Top Sellers and What’s to Come. If you are looking for a gift, or something special for yourself, Vivid Chill has a wide assortment to choose from. Some of the top sellers are candles, intention bracelets, lavender pillow spray and shower steamers (sourced from a local artisan in Fairfax!). Some of the more popular brands carried by Vivid Chill include Farm Rio (clothing) Girlfriend Collective (workout wear), Artesano (handcrafted hats) and Calhoun & Co. (blankets).

Not only did Marika create Vivid Chill as a showcase for her favorite things, but it also serves as a hub for creating community. She has sponsored Pilates on the Green in the past and has a bunch of events planned for the Spring, including an aura photographer event, flower arranging, a full moon circle and more.

Vivid Chill has seen such a positive response in Great Falls, that Marika opened a second location in the Mosaic District recently.