BERLIN– Local, vintage and fair trade shop Bungalow Love is celebrating its fifth anniversary a few months early.
The shop, described by owner Heather Layton as “an eclectic mix of wonderfulness,” sells handmade and vintage items, tucked just off Main Street near Berlin Town Hall on 12 William Street.
“I grew up on Williams Street literally three blocks away,” Layton said. “My parents still live there and I still live in Berlin. It’s nice to see how much this town has changed, but there’s still a core group of locals.”
Layton, who had been a stay-at-home mom for eight years, opened in December 2009 with a handful of items, including her own handmade jewelry, a dozen purses made by her sister and a few vintage pieces.
“Even though I knew I had to step up my game on inventory, I was eager to open before Christmas simply to let people know I was there and what Bungalow Love was about,” she said. “We had just done a show at The Globe and it was really well attended. The space came available and I figured, ‘why not?’ Let’s make a go for it.”
Bungalow Love was immediately successful.
“I made my winter’s rent and the concept of locally stocked, vintage and fair trade was so well received,” Layton said. “And (Economic and Community Development Director) Michael Day was a wealth of knowledge from the start. Any question, he was right there, ready and willing to answer, and if he didn’t know the answer, he was quick to find it out.”
Keeping things locally and ethically sourced has always been important to Layton.
“I think every purchase should count,” she said. “When you buy locally, made in America or fair trade, that purchase gives twice. By purchasing one of those items, you are putting money directly into a craftsman or artisan’s pocket versus a corporation.
“I started off with a lot of local artisans and a lot of consignment, and I’ve since gotten a lot more fair trade, so everything is still ethically sourced,” Layton continued. “It’s something my mom always instilled in me – she was always very conscious of where things were made and who bought what and where things came from.”
Layton enlists friends who live abroad or travel to source inventory directly from artisans in Peru and Mexico. The shop also stocks handmade soaps made by workers from Worcester County Development Center in Newark.
“They approached me and I’m so glad they walked through the door,” she said. “Their soaps have been a strong seller and I love their mission. It’s a great product.”
Layton, who also organizes the town’s 2nd Friday art strolls and serves as president of the Arts and Entertainment Committee, said she wanted to celebrate Bungalow Love’s anniversary a few months early because October is Fair Trade Month.
“It’s perfect that we are celebrating our five years a tad early,” she said. “It’s an amazing thing, and I have zero complaints. I feel like the town has embraced us and I think people like buying from their friends and neighbors. I feel truly blessed. When I opened I certainly didn’t think five years down the road. I was just thinking, ‘let’s see how this first year goes.’”
Would Layton ever consider moving off the beaten path and onto Main Street proper?
“I love my little building,” she said. “Five years later, I still walk up to the building and it makes me happy to see it. Main Street – there’s that romantic idea of being on Main Street, but I am truly happy where I am.”
For more information call 410-641-2781 or visit www.bungalowlove.net.
The shop, described by owner Heather Layton as “an eclectic mix of wonderfulness,” sells handmade and vintage items, tucked just off Main Street near Berlin Town Hall on 12 William Street.
“I grew up on Williams Street literally three blocks away,” Layton said. “My parents still live there and I still live in Berlin. It’s nice to see how much this town has changed, but there’s still a core group of locals.”
Layton, who had been a stay-at-home mom for eight years, opened in December 2009 with a handful of items, including her own handmade jewelry, a dozen purses made by her sister and a few vintage pieces.
“Even though I knew I had to step up my game on inventory, I was eager to open before Christmas simply to let people know I was there and what Bungalow Love was about,” she said. “We had just done a show at The Globe and it was really well attended. The space came available and I figured, ‘why not?’ Let’s make a go for it.”
Bungalow Love was immediately successful.
“I made my winter’s rent and the concept of locally stocked, vintage and fair trade was so well received,” Layton said. “And (Economic and Community Development Director) Michael Day was a wealth of knowledge from the start. Any question, he was right there, ready and willing to answer, and if he didn’t know the answer, he was quick to find it out.”
Keeping things locally and ethically sourced has always been important to Layton.
“I think every purchase should count,” she said. “When you buy locally, made in America or fair trade, that purchase gives twice. By purchasing one of those items, you are putting money directly into a craftsman or artisan’s pocket versus a corporation.
“I started off with a lot of local artisans and a lot of consignment, and I’ve since gotten a lot more fair trade, so everything is still ethically sourced,” Layton continued. “It’s something my mom always instilled in me – she was always very conscious of where things were made and who bought what and where things came from.”
Layton enlists friends who live abroad or travel to source inventory directly from artisans in Peru and Mexico. The shop also stocks handmade soaps made by workers from Worcester County Development Center in Newark.
“They approached me and I’m so glad they walked through the door,” she said. “Their soaps have been a strong seller and I love their mission. It’s a great product.”
Layton, who also organizes the town’s 2nd Friday art strolls and serves as president of the Arts and Entertainment Committee, said she wanted to celebrate Bungalow Love’s anniversary a few months early because October is Fair Trade Month.
“It’s perfect that we are celebrating our five years a tad early,” she said. “It’s an amazing thing, and I have zero complaints. I feel like the town has embraced us and I think people like buying from their friends and neighbors. I feel truly blessed. When I opened I certainly didn’t think five years down the road. I was just thinking, ‘let’s see how this first year goes.’”
Would Layton ever consider moving off the beaten path and onto Main Street proper?
“I love my little building,” she said. “Five years later, I still walk up to the building and it makes me happy to see it. Main Street – there’s that romantic idea of being on Main Street, but I am truly happy where I am.”
For more information call 410-641-2781 or visit www.bungalowlove.net.