by Sharon Jackson
KAGAWONG—In May of 2015, Susie Harrison was making body butter, lip balm and facial scrubs, from all natural ingredients in her home and selling them on-site under the name Bare Naked Beauty.
What a difference a year makes. Ms. Harrison now shares space with Boo Bau Lou Candy Corner at the intersection of Highway 540 and Main Street in Kagawong. The building that stood vacant for several years has received a much needed facelift and now displays vibrant violet and teal blue exteriors.
Boo Bau Lou Candy Corner relocated from 156 Main Street (in between Manitoulin Chocolate Works and the Giant Game Board) to 67 Main Street, which is within walking or biking distance from Bridal Veil Falls, one of the main attractions to the area.
David Hurcomb, owner of Boo Bau Lou Candy Corner which boasts a new name, the town’s only store with its own disco ball and tin ceilings, shared that it was a “great decision to move to the top of the hill and enjoyed a super busy weekend of sales.” Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, the store offers an opportunity for customers to stop in for a sweet tooth fix at the end of their work day.
The building’s transformation was kept under wraps until recently when the paper came down from the windows, paint was applied, signs and store front decor added and the doors opened on Friday, May 20.
Newcomer Bare Naked Beauty shares the space by a connecting door between the two businesses. Ms. Harrison enjoyed an opening weekend with a lot of traffic. “It was a great weekend,” she shared. “The nice weather brought people in.”
A daily rush at approximately 3 pm had the all natural products flying off the shelves. The popular items, stated Ms. Harrison, were the anti-aging sunscreen, body butter and hairspray.
New to the Bare Naked Beauty stock are rejuvenating serums, deodorants and massage oils.
Ms. Harrison offers alternatives to disposable applicators; crocheting colourful product applicators that are washable and reusable. Crocheted hair bands are also available for sale.
When customers pay for their purchases at the counter, instead of a plastic bag, they are placed in a drawstring cotton bag with the Bare Naked Beauty dandelion logo on the side. This clever bag can be used when travelling or hiking.
Bare Naked Beauty’s social media page is full of positive comments such as “what an incredible shop” and “can’t wait to shop in your awesome store.” Another success story for an Island entrepreneur.
