28 AUGUST 2026 By Sherry Sklar Rodeo Rose, a women’s thrift and fashion market that took off on TikTok, has become an indie shopping destination with more than 70 vendors and 1,200 attendees in search of their next coveted find. Held twice monthly, this pop-up sensation brings its party atmosphere to downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the East Valley. Shoppers can purchase one-of-a-kind clothing, beauty products, jewelry, and flowers, then refuel with specialty coffee or matcha while meeting old friends or making new ones. Trinity Roraback, Rodeo Rose’s 23-year- old founder, moved with her family from Oregon to Arizona five years ago to study business at the University of Arizona. After her sophomore year, Roraback moved to Scottsdale and continued studying online while working full-time. Living in a new city with few friends, she posted to connect with other girls and build community. Accustomed to Portland’s commitment to buying local and its abundance of thrift shops and independent businesses, Roraback felt big-box stores often overshadowed Phoenix’s smaller retailers. “Something I always missed was expressing myself through shopping local, thrifting, and the fashion I wore,” she said. One day, she posted a TikTok video that changed the course of her life. “I was like, hey, if you live in Arizona, and you’re a girl who wants to sell her clothes, thrift, or just meet up, please let me know,” Roraback said. “I’m looking for friends and community.” Though embarrassed at first, her sincere plea went viral. Within 48 hours, the video had 150,000 views and thousands of comments. Realizing she was onto something bigger than a simple meet-up, Roraback created a Google Form asking, “If I were to host this event, would you go?” The answers flooded in, with 300 prospective vendors signing up to sell clothes at her first pop-up. And just like that, Roraback put herself in business, helping other women grow theirs. Rodeo Rose’s name honors Portland’s official bloom and blends the Pacific Northwest’s individuality with the Southwest’s cowgirl cool. Her parents, business owners themselves, gave her the courage to pursue her dreams outside the corporate world. She turned down a promising job offer to dedicate herself fully to Rodeo Rose, a decision she said she does not regret. That passion from buyers and sellers has fueled the market’s growth. “The growth isn’t because it’s a great business model,” Roraback said. “It’s because it has people who love, care, and share their passion, and you can’t find that at a lot of places nowadays.” While social media engagement and online shopping are common, human connection and in-person mingling are increasingly rare in today’s screen-bound world. In that setting, the market also gives vendors real-time feedback to refine their businesses. Bella Rivera, owner of Juniper Street Coffee, has been a regular vendor since Rodeo Rose’s early days. She launched the business in May 2025 after studying at Arizona State University and working as a barista for seven years. Her mobile coffee and matcha cart features locally sourced ingredients, including coffee beans from FourTillFour and house-made syrups. “Rodeo Rose honestly put us on the map, essentially,” Rivera said. Roraback discovered Juniper Street through Rivera’s online videos and invited her to serve as the coffee and matcha vendor at an early pop-up. That became Juniper Street Coffee’s first event, and Rivera has participated ever since. “We’re planning our biggest event for December, which will be exciting,” she said. “It will be held inside and outside at Scottsdale Stadium and host more than 200 vendors, including some from out of state.” Roraback said the venture would not have succeeded without the women who participated. “The community is how this market grew, and it is what its foundation will always be,” she said. Rodeo Rose welcomes groups of friends as well as solo visitors who discovered the market online. Pariz Durazo, owner of The Disco Vixen Club and a Rodeo Rose regular, agreed. “From the vendors to the attendees,” she said, “it all just feels like a giant girls’ party filled with shopping and good vibes.” “I’m grateful and blessed that I get to do this as my full-time job,” Roraback said. “I am pushed to be the best version of myself when I’m with these women. It’s very inspirational.” rodeorosemarket.com Thrift-lover’s first “fashion” rodeo proves successful By Mark Hays Customers at Cheese ‘N Stuff had more than lunch on their minds this summer. In June, the longtime Uptown deli launched its “Summer Showdown,” asking customers to sample two new sandwiches and cast a paper ballot for their favorite. The contest was inspired by summer intern Grant Musil, who brought a marketing background and a creative approach to the neighborhood deli. “It was kind of Grant’s brainchild,” owner Julie Palmer said. “It was a fun idea that he came up with, and we ran with it.” Musil, who is pursuing an MBA at Arizona State University, said the contest was designed to bring customers through the doors during the slower summer season while introducing a pair of original menu items. “We introduced two new sandwiches: The Biltmore and The Verde,” he said. The Biltmore offered the deli’s take on a Caprese sandwich, featuring mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto on sourdough bread. The Verde sandwich featured chicken, green chilies, cabbage slaw, and pepper jack cheese. “We wanted to do something Southwest- focused,” Musil said. “We do live in Arizona, right, so we have a lot of Mexican influence in our cuisine. We wanted to pay homage to that.” The Verde was crowned the winner of the competition – Grant said it was about a 60/40 split. Palmer added that customers embraced the friendly competition. “You’d see two people each get one sandwich. They’d try it. They’d switch, and it really turned out to be a fun concept,” she said. Customers voted using a ballot box on the deli counter, with one voter selected each week to receive a free sandwich. The deli also created a custom cartoon graphic that appeared on promotional materials and T-shirts celebrating the contest. Palmer said the Summer Showdown could return in the future as Cheese ‘N Stuff continues balancing its longtime menu with new ideas. The contest showed the approach that Palmer and her husband, Tom, have taken since purchasing the historic deli last year. “We’re trying to keep a local institution alive and running,” Palmer said. “We’re really leaning into remaining that neighborhood, non- corporate place that you can come have a great meal for lunch or dinner.” She credited the deli’s longtime customer base with contributing to the business’s success. “We’ve kept the same menus, the same suppliers, and we’re now a year into the project, and it’s been a fun, wild, exciting ride,” Palmer said. “Thanks to our team, our customers and supporters.” As Cheese ‘N Stuff enters its second year under new ownership, Palmer said the goal remains the same: preserve what longtime customers love while finding fresh ways to keep the neighborhood deli thriving. cheesenstuffdeli.com Summer sandwich showdown draws hungry voters Rodeo Rose brings together more than 70 vendors and 1,200 attendees at each market. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRINITY RORABACK Owner Julie Palmer with the Verde: chicken, green chilies, cabbage slaw, and pepper jack cheese. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE PALMER