Step into the world of local artisans and talented vendors at the Interlake Handmade Boutique, a hidden gem nestled within Gimli’s Lakeview Resort on First Ave. This cozy and inviting space is a haven for local artists, vendors, and small businesses to showcase their talents and creations. It’s the brainchild of Anita McAlinden, a passionate individual who recognized the need for a year-round market to support vendors from local outdoor markets.
This boutique is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship found right here in our own backyard.McAlinden and her husband Robert purchased their future retirement home in the area in 2013, and moved here permanently in 2016 from Winnipeg. They enjoyed attending local farmers markets and came to know many of the vendors over the next few years. Although the vendors were able to sell their wares throughout the summer months, as soon as the school year began, the markets began to dismantle and many vendors were left to their own devices until the Christmas market began. Having a year round place to sell their products all week long rather than just on weekends made perfect sense to McAlinden, and therefore she created the Interlake Handmade Boutique.
The Interlake Handmade Boutique opened its doors in November 2020, welcoming around 20-25 dedicated vendors eager to share their crafts with customers far and wide. However, just days after its grand opening came unexpected restrictions due to COVID-19. But McAlinden didn’t let that deter her passion or commitment to supporting local artisans.
Adapting swiftly, she turned towards Facebook advertising as a means of reaching customers during this challenging time. Curbside pick-up became the norm while free delivery options were extended even as far as Winnipeg.
“I still worked in the city so this was an option’, explained McAlinden.
“In January of 2021 we were able to open the shop with restrictions in place. Our capacity was normally 19 at the time when the shop was half its size. With the restrictions in place only 2 people were allowed in to shop at one time, but somehow we made it work.”
Linda Weshnoweski was one of the first vendors on board with the idea of a year round shop to sell her home made preserves and jams. Weshnoweski grew up on a farm and has been gardening and canning for over 50 years.
“My ‘From Lindas’ Kitchen’ preserves and jams are all garden to table, or made with hand picked wild berries and berries grown in my own garden,” said Weshnoweski.
“My biggest sellers are my diabetic jams that I make with Monk Sugar, and my Million Dollar Relish,” she smiled, “however I don’t do it for profit, I do it out of love of the process”.
“Everybody needs to have this type of shop in their communities”, expressed Weshnoweski.
Marlane Lillian Mazur, known as the Coffee Shop Writer, had written her first book entitled 101 Blessings in 2016.
“I just decided I wanted to write about all the good things that happened to me’, Mazur said. In 2019, Mazur wrote her second book, 101 Promises.
“Interlake Handmade Boutique approached me two years ago and I now have my books and paintings for sale in their store. Rob suggested a trilogy, and so I wrote 101 Roads, which will be out this month. Rob has made me a lot more outgoing. He would call me over to the store and say ‘someone wants to meet you’, and so I would go”, said Mazur.
Etch N Ideas is a local small business that offers laser engraving on slate, wood, and glass, as well as many other surfaces. Some products include gold tee tags, pet bowls, cutting boards and key chains.
McAlinden said we have grown to have over 70 different vendors and needed more space so we added the shop next door and took out the wall.
Although the shop was run by McAlinden, while her husband worked elsewhere, he often offered to work on Sundays so that she was able to catch up with other tasks.
“These days became known as ‘his days’ at the shop”, said McAlinden.
Sadly, Robert McAlinden passed away on June 25 of this year at the age of 52.
“I recently realized that this is where I was supposed to be when I lost him,” said McAlinden.
“The support from the vendors, business owners, customers and towns people has been incredible. They have given me the strength I need to move forward most days when I felt I could not.”
Express Photos By Gloria Thomas
