By Greg Ellison]

(Feb. 10, 2022) Recognizing an opportunity last fall to help a close relative, Glendola Bowen, who has operated Finally Yours Salon on Main Street Finally Yours Salon in Berlin for two decades, provided her niece, Cherie Harris, an outlet to retail craft items.

Bowen, who launched her salon in 2002, opted to aid Harris after the covid pandemic curtailed vending opportunities.

Photo courtesy Cherie Harris
Glendola Bowen opened up her existing salon space on Main Street in Berlin to assist her niece open a retail shop last fall.

“I told her, ‘I’ll share my space with you awhile,’” she said.

Last September, the duo began strategizing on how to move salon services to the rear of the store at 116 N. Main St. and revamp the front space for Harris to sell items from direct sales companies, Pink Zebra and Paparazzi.

“She knew I was typically really busy in Maryland and Delaware,” Harris said.

Unfortunately, after the onset of covid in 2020, the array of festivals, flea markets and craft shows Harris usually worked slowed to a crawl.

In light of diminished retail options, Bowen and Harris converted the front area of Finally Yours.

“Our pop-up shop opened on Oct. 6 during Oktoberfest,” she said.

Harris said sales were steady through the Christmas season.

“We sell soy-based candle waxes made in the U.S.,” she said.

Harris also sells handmade jewelry, primarily for women and children.

“Most items are reasonably priced between $5 to $10,” she said.

Following the holiday season, Harris decided to shutter the storefront during the bleak winter months.

“After Christmas seemed like a good time to close,” she said. “People shop less in January.”

At this point Harris is tentatively planning to reopen on March 5.

Photo courtesy Cherie Harris
Cherie Harris, who opened a pop-up shop inside Finally Yours on Main Street in Berlin last October is anticipating re-opening next month after winter weather subsides.

“I’m waiting for warmer weather in March,” she said.

Harris said store hours are generally from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the business open on Saturdays until expanding to Friday through Sunday in summer.

“We will reopen, unless the weather is bad, the first Saturday in March,” she said.