Highlanders now have another prime space to showcase their home-crafted goods, with Handmade Heaven the latest addition to Haliburton’s downtown business community.
The new store fills the space left by Halco’s The Source, which closed in the spring. After launching Handmade Heaven in early 2023, Sam Milne said he’s excited to set up shop in Haliburton. It will be his sixth location, joining stores in Peterborough, Barrie, Oakville, Markham, and Toronto.
“I really like the vibe of the community – it’s still got that small town feel. I love that there are still old-school family stores like Glecoff’s. It’s a busy, diverse downtown” Milne said.
A “modern” take on the community marketplace model, Handmade Heaven provides hobbyists and up-and-coming entrepreneurs space to promote and sell their goods. Milne said there will be items from approximately 100 makers at the new store, with half of those local.
Some of the County-based offerings include: Lynx 87, which specializes in woodworking, custom cabinets and home décor; Rowan and Oak natural soaps and candles; Encapsulated Love roses and forever bears; and Wee Lamb Collection.
Milne has spent weeks renovating the space – a mural representing “the rolling hills of Haliburton” greets people as they enter, while the walls are jam-packed with shelving featuring an array of products.
There are three price points for partners, Milne said, ranging from $130 to $260 per month. A five-tier “entry” unit that will be located in the centre of the store, an eightfoot by two-foot wall unit, and eight-foot by three-foot wall unit. Rent is due monthly, with makers retaining 100 per cent of sales. Vendors are responsible for managing inventory and setting up their space.
Products that prove popular will have the chance to be featured at other Handmade Heaven locations, Milne said.
Now living full-time at his family cottage on Catchacoma Lake, about 60 kilometres south of Haliburton, Milne said he’s embraced rural living. Setting up in Haliburton has taken him back to his childhood – he visited the community frequently as a kid and loved getting ice cream downtown before walking around Head Lake Park.
He stumbled upon the town again last spring while taking his son to Algonquin Park.
“The memories all came flooding back. But Haliburton has changed, this is a really busy place now in the summer. It’s hard even crossing the road some days, but that’s exciting as a small business owner – there are thousands of visitors during the summer, often from far away. It felt like the perfect opportunity, having this space where people can shop for cool things made locally that they won’t be able to find anywhere else,” Milne said.
He hopes to become a hub for the arts scene and encourages any small business owner wanting to reach a wider audience to connect.
“This is about building community – in some of my other locations, owners come together, share ideals, collaborate sometimes. It provides unique opportunities,” he said. “My aim is for people to do so well that they keep increasing their space, growing, and see where that takes them. Down the road, maybe it leads to them going out on their own – that’s what Handmade Heaven is all about.”
A grand opening was held July 27, with Milne saying the store was abuzz for much of the day.
For more information, visit handmadeheaven.ca/haliburton.
