There’s a quaint new shop along the Credit River where the owners hope people will ‘shop a little, sip a little and stay a while.’
The Main St. Market opened its doors in Glen Williams this spring and features a variety of handcrafted pieces from local and Canadian artisans alongside a coffee bar serving up hot beverages and treats.
“We have so many awesome makers pulled together in one place,” said founder Christie Lance, who’s operating the market alongside husband Peter Reaume and their children.
“We’re carrying everything from pottery to jewelry to clothing to skin care. You name it, we’ve got it. It's a really nice collection.”
The new locale is a labour of love for Lance, an artisan herself who had to stop making jewelry and pottery due to health issues. After years of battling a variety of symptoms, which often kept her bedridden, she was ultimately diagnosed with MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological condition that affects a person’s mobility and central nervous system.
“Once I was diagnosed, it was a relief. That day, I received meds that changed my life,” she said. “I still have aches and pains, but I feel like I’ve got my life back. It’s important for my kids to see me like this and know that just because you get kicked down, it doesn't mean you can't get back up and keep going. This is my kick MOG in the pants story.”
The Main St. Market opens at 8 a.m. from Tuesday to Friday so that Glen residents can grab their morning coffee on the way to work. On the weekends, there’s live music that can be enjoyed from the outdoor seating alongside the Credit River.
“We want people to linger a little, and have more of an experience from beginning to end,” said Lance. “People will get a coffee and a muffin and sit and chat.”
Going forward, the Glen Williams woman has big plans for her new business. The market will be expanding into the majority of the vacant space in its current building, which will allow more room for handmade items, prepared grab-and-go foods in freezers and the coffee counter.
Lance is also looking to hold artisan markets and a Christmas market.
“It’s important for me to create a space here that the community can feel proud of; a place where everyone is welcome,” she noted. “I want everyone to come and enjoy, no matter who you are.”
For further details, visit mainstmarket.ca.
