(Sept. 3, 2015) For Lori Wagman, owner of the newest business in downtown Berlin, the idea for her shop Beez Kneez Boutique grew out of a personal need.
A former massage therapist, Wagman said her sensitive skin led her to begin making her own bath and body products.
In April, she began selling her products at the farmer’s market in Berlin, and then opened the shop at 101 William Street, near Rainbow Florist, on Aug. 20.
Wagman describes Beez Kneez, which is stocked exclusively with green and sustainable products, as a “lifestyle” store.
“What I’m trying to achieve is get all the chemicals out of the products we use on a daily basis and leave a smaller carbon footprint,” she said. “For me, that lifestyle has meant big changes in my skin and my health.”
Popular homemade products at Beez Kneez include Kaolin clay sugar scrubs, and castile-based bar soaps made with ingredients such as goat’s milk, shea butter, cocoa butter and olive oil.
The shop also stocks natural stone and murano glass jewelry, soy wax candles in holders made from recycled wine bottles, all-natural mud masks and hairspray, and clothing items.
“I’m trying to bring something a little different to Berlin – not just commercial stuff,” she said. “All my coin purses are hand-crocheted or hand-sewn, and my socks are all organic or recycled cotton, and they’re made in the United States.”
Wagman said word of mouth has been strong in Berlin so far, and the town has been welcoming of its latest downtown retail space. Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells helped her with a façade grant, and she’s awaiting town approval of her signs for the store.
In the future, she hopes to expand into a larger space and increase her supply of artisan items.
“I’d like to see how it goes for a year here, and then see if there’s anything available on the main strip” she said. “That would be ideal, but I think it’s pretty hard to get commercial space on Main Street.”
Artisans are invited to suggest their products for the shop.
For more information, call 410-208-8132 or follow The Beez Kneez Boutique on Facebook.
A former massage therapist, Wagman said her sensitive skin led her to begin making her own bath and body products.
In April, she began selling her products at the farmer’s market in Berlin, and then opened the shop at 101 William Street, near Rainbow Florist, on Aug. 20.
Wagman describes Beez Kneez, which is stocked exclusively with green and sustainable products, as a “lifestyle” store.
“What I’m trying to achieve is get all the chemicals out of the products we use on a daily basis and leave a smaller carbon footprint,” she said. “For me, that lifestyle has meant big changes in my skin and my health.”
Popular homemade products at Beez Kneez include Kaolin clay sugar scrubs, and castile-based bar soaps made with ingredients such as goat’s milk, shea butter, cocoa butter and olive oil.
The shop also stocks natural stone and murano glass jewelry, soy wax candles in holders made from recycled wine bottles, all-natural mud masks and hairspray, and clothing items.
“I’m trying to bring something a little different to Berlin – not just commercial stuff,” she said. “All my coin purses are hand-crocheted or hand-sewn, and my socks are all organic or recycled cotton, and they’re made in the United States.”
Wagman said word of mouth has been strong in Berlin so far, and the town has been welcoming of its latest downtown retail space. Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells helped her with a façade grant, and she’s awaiting town approval of her signs for the store.
In the future, she hopes to expand into a larger space and increase her supply of artisan items.
“I’d like to see how it goes for a year here, and then see if there’s anything available on the main strip” she said. “That would be ideal, but I think it’s pretty hard to get commercial space on Main Street.”
Artisans are invited to suggest their products for the shop.
For more information, call 410-208-8132 or follow The Beez Kneez Boutique on Facebook.