You
can tell how much Brad Hewlett loves Forks Trading Company just by strolling
through the store with him. He has a story to tell about each artisan showcased
on the shelves. His eyes light up with each description of another unique product.
And as he approaches the moccasin section, he turns to me with a grin on his
face.
Brad wants to show me the display he made – a wooden crate perched overhead with a
sign reading ‘Moccasins for tall people’, and another at waist-height indicating
‘Moccasins for short people’. He chuckles as he points it out, making sure I
get the joke.
That’s
the kind of good-natured fun Brad has in his store. When The Forks opened 16
years ago – in October 1989 – hewas one of the first tenants, selling wooden
ducks out of a kiosk named Splinters. In 1995, he purchased Yesteryear Flower
and Candle, eventually changing its name to Two Rivers. Then in 2009 he took
over The Craft Cupboard, renamed it Forks Trading Company, and launched what
would become one of the Market’s busiest retail outlets.
Megan
Basaraba is General Manager and Buyer for Forks Trading Company. Coming from a
fast-paced (and stressful!) career as a second Assistant Director in
the film industry, Megan finds the retail world a welcome reprieve. She
loves working there as much as she loves shopping there, playfully suggesting
it’s a volunteer job since all the money she earns goes right back into the
store.
Customers
have come to know Forks Trading Company as the place to go for high-quality merchandise
by local artisans. Everything they sell is handmade in Canada, with the
majority made in Manitoba. One of Megan's favourite parts of the job is
sourcing new product lines. Since artisans are constantly upping the standard
of what they’re creating, Forks Trading Company has to continually up their
standard, too. They take great pride in carrying the best of the best, the
beautifully imperfect, the one-of-a-kind.
Pottery
is a best-seller, produced by the likes of Susan Gurman from Lorette, Steve
Jorgenson from Birds Hill, and other local potters. Soaps and candles from
popular companies such as Soy Harvest, Harlow, and Coal and Canary are also in hot
demand.
You’ll
find jewelry, hats, scarves, fashions, sunglasses, essential oils, colognes,
books, kitchen utensils, stone carvings, and the list goes on. Looking for
maple syrup, specialty chocolate, or ready-to-cook soup mixes? They’ve got
that, too. For kids, there’s a section of thoughtfully-made toys, clothing and
keepsakes.
Most
purchases come with a write-up about the artisan, while scheduled meet-and-greets
give shoppers the chance to connect with the people behind the products. Starting
in November, they’ll offer private shopping nights with drinks, snacks, samples
and discounts – a practice already growing in popularity at the Blue Heron in
Kenora, another shop owned by Brad.
Megan and Brad have a great time showcasing what’s best suited for each season,
and coming up with new ways to do retail differently. Their mutual goal is for customers
to have an enjoyable shopping experience every time they walk through the
doors.
And
I’ll bet they do.
