A newly opened storefront is using a unique cooperative business model to make local handmade products easily available to Moose Jaw consumers, and owner Starla Wilson is happy to finally see the store open.
With These Hands officially opened its doors on March 16, with a newly renovated space at 30 Mackenzie Lane that already features lots of handmade products from Saskatchewan makers.
“I think it's (important to) support small businesses. Hand makers offer unique products that you can't find in a big box store,” said Wilson, who is a maker herself here in Moose Jaw.
Each individual maker rents space to display their products in the storefront, where they receive one hundred per cent of any sales that take place.
“It's like their own storefront,” said Wilson. “And so we’re the front for them and they can stay home and keep making their things, and we just sell them for them.”
Currently, With These Hands in Moose Jaw has products from 43 different handmade businesses across the province. Makers from places as far as Regina, North Battleford, Weyburn and Estevan are part of the store, selling everything from purses made from seatbelts to dream catchers to artwork, and more.
Ten local makers from Moose Jaw are also among the shelves, including baking connoisseur Farmhouse Sugar, White Lotus soy candles, pottery by Luscious Creations, and more.
”We're excited to join everybody together in one place,” said Wilson. “And we have a really big space, so we're looking forward to bringing on as many [others] as we can.”
Wilson has her own products on display as well, as the owner of Starlight Creations. She specializes in handmade wooden signs and other custom items, and teaches workshop paint classes as well.
“This really gives me a chance to have my own storefront and just not have to bear the brunt of that cost all on my own,” said Wilson.
The storefront is an extension of the Regina-based organization of the same name, which began in 2018. This unique way of sharing a storefront is a rising trend that offers an opportunity for smaller handmade business owners to make themselves available to regular retail shoppers.
The decision to expand to Moose Jaw was something Wilson was very excited to be involved with, as an opportunity for not only her own business but other prairie makers as well.
“It's hard for home makers to put out the expense for their own retail space. So this way, everybody shares those overhead costs,” said Wilson. “And this gives everybody an opportunity to be seen by more people than just by going to trade shows, [to] have a retail location where everybody can find our stuff.”
With These Hands in Moose Jaw is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Those interested in the storefront and the makers they feature can follow the store’s updates on Facebook and Instagram, and the Moose Jaw location can be contacted at 1 (306) 693-2670.
