By Vicki Brown
A new business in Cottageville held its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 13th.
Little Cottage Gifts Owner Chelsea Reeves said she had a vision to create a vendor-mall, complete with a deli and a bakery for shoppers. Smith is already operating a bakery, selling from her Facebook page. Now, has a physical space in her hometown. The new store opened after what Reeves calls a “long restoration process.”
According to Chelsea, the building was a “mess.”
“There was insulation everywhere, the roof leaked, there was ruined sheet rock, bad fluorescent lights, and at the back there was a hole in the floor. The ceiling beams and original floor were in relatively good shape but had to be cleaned and a stained dropped ceiling removed. The walls needed painting and the roof had to be fixed,” she said.
Despite the needed repairs, Reeves said she began searching for vendors who might want to participate in the store and set up their wares. Within two weeks she had responses from some Cottageville residents, as well as vendors from Summerville, Charleston and other places.
The vendors’ unusual crafts, jewelry, soaps, lotions, signs, baby gifts, tumblers, purses, ball caps, furniture and clothing are expertly arranged around the extra large2,000square foot shop that has plenty of walking room and space to search for the perfect item. The shop looks rugged, rustic and professionally decorated. She even attached old floor joists from the original 1940s building to the walls to hang things. Old hardwood that had to be ripped up from the dilapidated back end of the building was used to construct her front counter and desk.
“I am not finished yet,” said Chelsea. “Right now, the only thing open is the gift shop. But I have plans to open a bakery/deli in about six months. People aren’t happy that my bakery has been postponed for a while, but it was just too much to try and open the gift shop and bakery at the same time. “Two red French doors are located at the back of the shop which lead to a huge dining area where she plans to open her bakery/deli. “When I had the bakery out of my home, I constantly had people contact me asking if there was a place to sit and have coffee and baked goods. They asked if I had a display case for my baking so they could pick a few things out that day. I had none of those things and realized I needed to do something about that. But I want to add more to it. I hope to have soups, sandwiches, as well as bakery items, and be open for breakfast and lunch,” she said. “That is in the works right now,” she added. “I am really grateful for the support of the community. “
The store is open Sundays 1-5 and Wednesdays through Saturdays 10-5. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
