RIBBON CUTTING … Owner Ashlie Harmon cuts the ribbon at her new store in Swanton. The store will officially open on April 1st and will feature items created by the owner and by other local creators. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
Ash + Grace is coming to Swanton, and they entered town with a ribbon cutting. The second business in just this week has celebrated their coming grand opening in the village in an exciting way.
Many residents in the area may already know of Ash + Grace due to their location open in Delta. That location is moving to Swanton and will be officially opening on April 1st.
Owner Ashlie Harmon is a Swanton native and explained that this is the reasoning behind moving the business to Swanton.
“I was raised here in Swanton and originally wanted the business here but there wasn’t any room at the time.”
“When this space became available, I jumped on it so I could have my business where I live,” said Ashlie.
Together with her husband Brian, who is a Navy Veteran, the team puts out products that people want to buy.
“We are a small, local woman and veteran owned handmade gift shop. We are a place that you can come and shop from multiple handmade items from local talented makers.”
“You can find anything from handmade bath and body products, candles, home décor, woman’s boutique clothing and so much more,” said Ashlie.
She also explained that owning her own business is something that she has wanted to do for a while.
She had previously worked as a Registered Medical Assistant for over 20 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom in July of 2019 after their daughter was born six weeks premature. Then COVID hit and she needed to find something to keep herself busy.
To accomplish that, she started to make handmade crafts and bath and body products. Soon after, she began to sell them in nine locally owned shops. It was then that she found her passion and what she wanted to do.
In addition to selling her own products in the store, Ash + Grace also sells items from 40+ local, creative and talented makers.
Products change all the time in the store, so it is a good idea to check back from time to time. The new Swanton store is located at 117 North Main Street.
The tentative hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com