Thistle Pot Gifts: evolving in a small town

When two artists took ownership of their co-op and grew a retail shop, they learned to build and nurture a business

Cheryl Savaia (L) and Bree Lockhart are the owners of Thistle Pot Gifts in Grand Forks. — Photo courtesy Bree Lockhart

Originally, Bree Lockhart and Cheryl Savaia were part of a five-artist co-op that formed in Grand Forks, B.C., in 2000. The three other artists moved on over time and the business evolved into a small-town garden and gift boutique. Lockhart and Savaia both stayed on, developing their business skills along with their store, Thistle Pot Gifts. The shop still carries the work of local artists, including Lockhart’s pottery and and Savaia’s silk flower arrangements, but offers a variety of other home and garden wares as well.

In 2006, Lockhart and Savaia moved the business to its current location on Market Avenue. The women oversaw renovations at the building, intentionally maintaining a heritage look. The building is the last remaining false front in the area, lending an antique atmosphere to the store.

“It’s an interesting-looking building,” said Lockhart. “We used sort of a golden mustard-yellow colour, which is really old-fashioned to me. It’s not a huge building, but it’s quaint, so I think that draws people in . . . We did a lot of work to it—nobody else could see the potential, I guess, but it was there.”

In fact, free rein with design and creativity is one of the best things about owning a store for these two artists. The business has four casual employees, but both owners are very hands-on with daily operations and do everything from ordering to decorating and interacting with customers. The business won this year’s Retail Excellence Award from Community Futures Boundary and the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce; the recognition is something that Lockhart attributes to customer service. Lockhart and Savaia have really mastered the art of paying attention and filling a local niche.

“The most important thing (we’ve learned) is to listen to our customers and the needs of our community—what they’re asking for and what they’re going out of town for,” said Lockhart. “About a year ago we had people coming in constantly asking for different kitchen items, thinking that we were sort of a kitchen store. So we made a list and ordered everything that people asked for. I think if you listen to your customers openly, and talk to them, then you can usually figure it out.”

Finding the right products has proven essential to Thistle Pot Gifts. The shop has a constantly changing and diverse inventory, but one particular supplier has proven to be a significant and long-term part of the business. Pandora markets a well-known line of jewelry that regularly brings customers to Thistle Pot Gifts. The small Grand Forks shop has benefited from the strong business approach and marketing of a major brand.

As any small-business owner in a small town knows, there are specific challenges, but the job can be very fulfilling. Thistle Pot Gifts works hard to overcome the draw to out-of-town shopping by doing its best to provide what local residents might be looking for. Reputation and customer experience are also particularly important when everyone knows your shop by name, said Lockhart. Over the years, the owners of Thistle Pot Gifts have really learned to work with their community.

“(I look forward to) continuing to just serve the community—filling a need that we think is out there and making it an enjoyable experience to be in our store,” said Lockhart, “not just to buy, but to take a break from whatever and have a little quaint moment.”