New boutique gift store, The Kollective, will showcase a wide range of local handmade products when it opens in the CBD next week.
Business owner Emma Haack-Metcalf will open the doors to the store at 37 Woongarra Street next Saturday, providing a one-stop-shop for jewellery, art, candles, health and beauty products and other handmade and local goods.
Emma said The Kollective was an idea born from wanting to create one space for artisans and makers to sell their goods for shoppers to browse and enjoy.
“Once I got the idea of this store in my head, I knew that it was something Bundaberg needed as sometimes it is hard to access these amazing locally handmade products, unless you attend markets or buy online,” she said.
“By having a one-stop-shop for locally handmade goodies, it allows these products to be exposed to more people and easily accessible to our community.
“There is something so nice about knowing the product you have just purchased was handmade.”
Emma is looking forward to her business venture and supporting a number of other local makers who may not otherwise have the opportunity to have their products in a store.
“I am really proud of all our local makers and the professionalism of the products they produce,” she said.
“We have such talented people in our community that produce products of such a professional standard which I think this needs to be celebrated.
“A lot of these businesses are run by busy mums or are a side hustle while people are working another job or two, yet the products in-store are so well-made and professionally presented.”
More than just a gift shop, the space also lends itself to the opportunity to host workshops, with the CBD location the perfect sport for all of Emma’s needs.
“The Kollective Bundaberg also has a really cool workshop space where I am hoping to host a range of creative workshops,” she said.
“Having the store and workshop in the CBD is a more accessible area, with lots of different amenities within walking distance such as local cafes.”
Looking forward to opening her store next weekend, Emma said the shop design was very unique, with an in-store mural completing the space.
“The store is such a unique space, which is really welcoming, simple and bright, and has such a fun feel,” she said.
“A huge shout out to Kate Victoria Creative who has done all of our signage and murals in-store – these artworks are what really make the space unique and gives the store such a fun atmosphere.
“There really is nothing else like this in Bundaberg, which I think is what makes it super exciting.”
You can find out more about The Kollective here.
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