THATCHER — Home-based businesses are giving local buyers a chance this week to get out of the house.
“Gila Valley Made was a group of us that came together kind of in the COVID-19 pandemic of what are we’re going to do to help support these small businesses. We made a (Facebook) page and worked on it a little bit and had some sales. But through the past month, month-and-a-half, we’ve come together again and decided that we need to open a boutique,” said Tricia Garrett, owner of Prickly Pear Blossom, during a recent appearance on Voice of the Valley.
Joining Garrett in Gila Valley Made is Tabitha Warn, owner of Designs by TNT; Torey Cranford, owner of Cakes with TLC; Taylor Ludwig, owner of Lynn Meadows Home; and Royce Hunt-Bell, owner of Roycycled Treasures. In addition, 18 other home-based businesses are scheduled to offer products at the boutique.
The boutique will feature home decor, clothing, items for children and babies, jewelry, soaps and lotions, and more.
The boutique, located at 3888 W. Main St. in Thatcher, will be open from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
“I’m happy to see this happen because we all know that COVID has affected a lot of businesses in a lot of different ways. And for makers, most of us are used to going to market and a lot of the events are cancelled due to COVID,” said Hunt-Bell. “So this is really an opportunity for local makers to be able do business, and a way for locals to have access to really cool one-of-a-kind things.”
After the three-day pop-up this month, the boutique will re-open again in November for the Christmas season.
Editor’s note: Royce Hunt-Bell is the wife of reporter David Bell.
