BERWICK - Angie Dorey is always on the lookout for the next local product that belongs on the shelves in her boutique.
The Berwick resident had a vision when she opened a store in her hometown in October 2016. She wanted to run her own shop, and leave space for several fellow artisans to showcase their work under the same roof.
“I do three-month contracts, so at least once a month I’ll have at least one new crafter coming into the store,” said Dorey, owner of the Hello Handmade retail shop at 183 Commercial Street in Berwick.
“There’s something new to find every time.”
She leases retail space to local crafters to ensure customers are treated to a variety of unique products. And there’s no shortage of homemade creations that pique her interest.
“It’s blown up,” she said, referring to the public’s response to her business model.
“It’s really busy.”
Dorey makes a variety of natural bath and body products from scratch. She’s had to hire part-time employees in order to have more time to meet the demand for Hello Handmade products.
“I have a hard time keeping (soaps) on the shelf,” said Dorey, a mother of three children between the ages of six and 15.
“It’s a full-time job just making that.”
Dorey had long dreamed of starting her own business when her children were all in school. Now that she’s opened up shop, she can say for certain that Hello Handmade was worth the wait.
“Berwick is very up and coming,” said Dorey.
“It’s very charismatic.”
Learn more about Hello Handmade here: http://hellohandmadens.ca/
