The holidays have come and gone and here we are already 5 days into January. Thanks to all who came to the shop during the holidays. While business wasn’t as bad as we had braced ourselves for (due to the economy), it wasn’t outstanding. We will be able to give a small donation to GardenShare, Inc. and The Crary Mills Grange Hall as part of our “Giving Back” program. !
Many new things happening at the shop: we are discontinuing all Indian food (20% off now), a poetry reading is happening at the end of the month, we are sponsoring one of the films at The North Country Film Festival and works are in progress to bring Rwandan-made items into the shop.!
We did not receive enough support to continue stocking the Indian food. This is a disappointment, as we enjoy having it in the shop. Also, shipping costs have gotten too high to offer customers a reasonable price. Every once in awhile, the Indian community offers a homemade Indian dinner in Potsdam. Watch for dates – a real treat! !
Those coming to the poetry reading can bring their own poetry or work of others. We look forward to hosting this. Dave is also thrilled to be sponsoring the movie “Nosferatu”. This dark and brooding picture was part of the German film making renaissance, known for its abstract expressionism and avant-garde film design. Winter is a great time to come out and view some movies from the film festival. !
Lastly, we are working with a mother-daughter team to bring new items into the shop that are handmade in Rwanda. The team is working to provide sewing machines and fabric to orphaned girls from a village near Ruhengeri, Rwanda, Africa. Purses, bags and clothing are all being designed and made. While the team was in Rwanda this past fall, a group of women in Rwanda became interested in the project. The women formed an association as a way to include more girls from villages who are poor, orphaned, unable to attend school and many are head of household. This is Fair Trade at its best and we are proud to be a western market for these goods. Look for them sometime this summer. !
Our location in Potsdam is wonderful! Stop by anytime and check it out. We’ll have a Valentine’s table set up by mid-January, as we have many products with hearts and flowers. In the meantime, stay warm! !