By Maureen Pinkney –
Now well into its second year, the Crafters’ Market is a destination shopping store. Not only can you get an amazing variety of hand-crafted gifts and everyday items sold by the very individuals that made them, but there is also the ability to buy home grown products. Step into the quaint store right on the main shopping street of Birch Ave in 100 Mile House and you will find a warm and inviting atmosphere of friendly faces, a variety of products, and an indoor pergola warming the center aisle.
The concept for the store came from a simple desire to find a special gift for someone at Christmas. As I toured holiday craft fairs, admiring the items and searching for that ‘just right’ gift, I noticed how many vendors and different products were offered. In conversations with the creators, it came to light that an indoor place, open year-round, would enable both the consumers and the vendors to enjoy this means of shopping and benefit individuals and the community. So it began.
The market has been an evolving store since the day it opened. It now has approximately 40 different hand-crafting vendors amounting to tens of thousands of items. The store holds 15 blue stained pine kiosks rented monthly, and many vendors occupy more than one space to sell an array of items. Creative people often have the gift and talent to make products, but not the time to sell them or the desire to work in a retail atmosphere. If this describes you, we are always looking for more vendors to share space or rent out.
We aim to provide customers with a wonderful shopping experience, to support local entrepreneurs, and to keep money circulating in our town by shopping locally.
This year’s expansion included two more unique everyday shops inside the Crafters’ Market. The first addition is a Farmers’ Market, and it really “put the icing on our cake,” so to speak. The indoor Farmers’ Market is open year round and sells products such as 108 Sausage Company products, XH Bison Ranch Meats, eggs, Cariboo Wild Honey, Lac La Hache bakery breads, Tex Meadow Ranch products, Bradley Creek Garlic, The Horn Ranch Beef, Butcher Bob’s Jerky and Pepperoni, Trout ‘n Trail products, and many more producers and products. We also carry birch syrup and cheese products from Quesnel, along with many other items from all over BC.
Our other shop expansion inside the Market includes Tina’s Hair Salon, a re-establishment of her previous business on Horse Lake Road in 100 Mile House.
Along with a local and unique experience, the market offers easy access on a level entry, wide aisles, and one-on-one connection with the community.
From jewellery to soap, baking, crochetted slippers and blankets, stone coasters, photography, hand-tied fishing flies, pet products, clothing, home décor, art, paintings, signs, cuddly bears, baby items, and so much more, we have a large variety to choose from for any budget.
We aim to provide customers with a wonderful shopping experience, to support local entrepreneurs, and to keep money circulating in our town by shopping locally.
Come in and check us out for gifts or everyday items for yourself and your loved ones. Open Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Look for our extended hours over the Christmas holidays. From our homes to yours, shop local and keep local dollars circulating in our community.
