Madame Meerkat’s Cabinet of Curiosities will open its new location this week at 1001 South Kerr Ave.

Owner Horace Long said in an email Tuesday that this new location will allow the store to grow. Its old location in Old Wilmington City Market was 288 square feet. Its new location will more than triple the store's size with about 1,000 square feet.

Madame Meerkat’s sells items such as crystals, incense, jewelry, candles, antiques and more oddities.

The new store location will be next door to The Bearded Heart, a company brand also founded by Long that sells T-shirt, tote bags and other items printed by hand. 

Long said in the email that Madame Meerkat's has a three-year lease on its South Kerr Avenue space with the option to renew.

“We just quadrupled our space, so right now the plan is to stay put for a while,” he said.

The mission of the store is to provide a welcoming experience for customers.

“I hope to fill a need of being a place where people can come and find unique items for themselves and as gifts at a reasonable price,” Long said.

The store is hosting its grand opening until 7 p.m. Tuesday and will feature drinks, finger foods, local artists, face painting, tarot reading, giveaways and discounts, according to Madame Meerkat's Facebook page. Mayor Bill Saffo will be there for the ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m., the Facebook post said.

Long said he hopes the new location will provide a good atmosphere for shoppers.

“Good vibes! The space has great energy,” he said in the email. “Come and hang out; it’s a safe space for all humans alike.”