Continuing Growth: Edgewater Gifts & Gallery
Edgewater Gifts & Gallery, located at 1733 Water Street, has been selling handcrafted items to both local people and tourists since November, 2002. Owner, Michelle Cadogan’s involvement in the arts, in particularly theatre and music, has developed her appreciation for handcrafted items.
Despite the large learning curve required for her to operate a retail outlet, Michelle felt she had found a niche for this type of business in Miramichi. She describes her business venture as an “amazing” journey, and enjoys being a part of the downtown community where neighbours have an opportunity to form partnerships for projects such as marketing and advertising.
When looking for a location for her business, the Old Post Office Building, in the Historic Chatham Business District, was vacant. Michelle always appreciated the building but she admits to also being influenced by the potential business which could be generated from the Rodd Hotel clientele. At the time, and still today, she believes in the potential for development in the downtown. She feels that “It is a joy to go to work in such a magnificent building.” In her opinion, Saltwater Sounds and O’Donaghue’s Pub lend themselves in keeping with a more artisan community which this segment of the city can become.
Michelle says that the store has truly been a labour of love. In our current times of e-commerce and big box stores, Edgewater remains a very traditional store; a place for getting to know clients and their shopping preferences.
As well, Michelle has become acquainted with each of the artisans who handcraft the items which she sells, and she is pleased that the store provides a venue where consumers can contribute to the livelihood of these artisans who are mainly from New Brunswick. She feels that her life has been enriched by the relationships which have been developed between her and the many people she has met through her shop; in particular the artists.
