PORT ORCHARD — Two new Bay Street companies hope to provide downtown buyers with merchandise they could be lacking. Revival and Hippie Witch Skincare opened in April, each that includes differing types of native items.Josephine’s Mercantile on Bay Street has been a widely known retailer for years. Owner Sam Smith, who has owned the store for eight years, determined to open a distinct kind of retailer simply down the road known as Revival. She stated the brand new retailer is filling a necessity for a curated present store in downtown Port Orchard and is positioned in a constructing wealthy in Bay Street historical past. The retailer at 702 Bay St. is housed in the previous Ford dealership, constructed in 1923. Smith stated previous automobiles had been as soon as constructed right here, and she’s all the time cherished the constructing.The storefront beforehand belonged to The Dance Gallery and is neighbored by Mainline Music. Revival will characteristic merchandise from about 20 native makers, from birthday playing cards and residence decor to Smith’s husband’s woodwork. Smith stated she’s cherished having Josephine’s, however she needed to both take the shop to the following degree or simply cease. “I would like a revival in myself. I have to revive. I really feel like I’m simply surviving. I do know downtown struggles typically, however I really imagine in what we’re doing as a metropolis. That’s why I can open a store throughout from my different store.”She stated Josephine’s is doing properly, so she needed to present this present of “Revival” to the neighborhood. Smith determined in July that she was going to open a brand new retailer. The pandemic, shifting into an previous constructing, and different delays brought about the method to maneuver a bit of slower than she deliberate, and the shop opened on April 10.Revival is being opened in phases. First would be the present store and floral space in the entrance portion of the shop. The subsequent section will hopefully occur in the following three to 6 months, Smith stated. The again space will likely be opened for a further 3,000 sq. ft of area in the storage of the previous Ford dealership.Smith stated when the pandemic eases, she would like to characteristic weekend pop-up distributors in her retailer. She’s excited to have the ability to have extra occupancy for issues like that. “People do not realize what number of cool, thrilling folks we’ve on this facet of the water,” Smith stated. She stated she hopes folks see Revival as another reason to return to downtown Port Orchard. “I all the time had this dream of doing a neighborhood curated present store. I’m already invested in downtown, why not hold going?”The retailer will likely be open on the similar hours as Josephine’s, 10 a.m. to six p.m. every day. A couple of extra staff are being added to the sister shops and will work between the 2.Smith stated it’s a bit of bit scary opening a brand new retailer in a pandemic. “I believe I’d be loopy if I did not fear. But I believe typically the very best companies are began when it’s the scariest,” she stated. “Sometimes while you leap and take that leap of religion it might repay for you.”She stated she’s pleased to have one other retailer on Bay Street, the place it looks as if all of the enterprise house owners have an analogous imaginative and prescient and need one another to succeed.Skincare and past at Hippie WitchHippie Witch Skincare opened simply down the road from Smith’s retailer at 812 Bay St. at first of April. Her enterprise, like Smith’s, will characteristic domestically made objects, however of a distinct selection. Jessica Galbraith makes lots of the merchandise, like soaps, that she sells at her retailer. She sells different skincare merchandise, crystals, incense, books, Tarot playing cards and extra. She describes Hippie Witch Skincare as a new-age metaphysical store.She stated she’s been an artist her entire life however was informed by many who it wasn’t a viable profession.“I actually don’t desire my children to be raised that manner. I would like them to see, you already know, you are able to do what you like for a dwelling and earn money at it and achieve success and pleased in an artist world. It’s a risk.”She has a studio in the basement of her residence the place she makes her soaps, bathtub bombs and physique oil. The incense she sells is from an individual who grew up in Bremerton; she has some stickers made by an individual in Lakebay; and she sells Sylling’s Elderberry from Port Orchard. Galbraith lives in Port Orchard and grew up in Southworth. She labored as a barista for 15 years, then took some years off to lift her younger children. She stated she’s carried out nearly each job, however she’s somebody who must work for herself. Galbraith initially opened her retailer at Town Square Mall in Port Orchard. It wasn’t her very best location and she simply occurred to discover a storefront downtown after beginning her enterprise. She launched her marketing strategy three weeks earlier than COVID-19 stay-home orders started. Galbraith had plans to host occasions like bazaars or Renaissance Fairs in the long run.During the shutdown, Galbraith centered on rising her on-line enterprise. She set soaps out on her doorstep like a charcuterie board, and clients made appointments to return get them. She stated she determined to open a retailer after a long time of feeling like she didn’t belong.“I’ve had a extremely wild journey of a life and I suppose getting into into my 30s I discovered extra of what makes me me,” Galbraith stated. “I need to assist different folks get to a spot in life the place they’re snug in their very own pores and skin.”Right now, it’s simply Galbraith working at Hippie Witch Skincare. She hopes to rent a small workers and broaden her hours quickly. Hippie Witch Skincare is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to five p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to six p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
