La Plata police host third annual block party
Mother, daughter opened The Little Corner Shoppe to sell local goods
It’s a tiny space, but it’s crammed with handmade items from artisans and crafters from around La Plata and a little beyond.
The Little Corner Shoppe opened its doors March 19 in what was at one time a bail bonds office just down from the courthouse at 320 Charles Street. Its proprietors, Sandy Moreland of Hughesville and her daughter Stacy Moreland of Mechanicsville, are first-time businesswomen, though they’re keeping their day jobs in Largo and Upper Marlboro, respectively.
“It’s a venture — an adventure,” Sandy said with a laugh when asked about why they decided to go into business.
“Our family has always loved things that are handmade,” Stacy said. “A couple years ago, I started making candles and bath and body products, and my mother and I and my daughter [Kayla Terrell] would attend craft fairs and events like that. Speaking with other vendors and crafters that were there, they told us how they would really enjoy having a store that had handmade items. So, my mother and I talked. When the opportunity presented itself earlier this year, we decided to go ahead and take the leap.”
Stacy’s younger daughter, Sydney Terrell, minds the store Tuesday through Thursday with her 11-month-old child, Asher. Sandy and Stacy arrive at 5 p.m. after their day jobs and keep the door open until 6 p.m. — Thursday until 7. The two also work there on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday.
“We’ve been doing really well,” Stacy said. “I think it’s a great location that’s right here on Route 6. We enjoy it being in the walkable Town of La Plata. When the weather’s nice, there’s a lot of people out walking around.”
The two new La Plata Business Association members said they’ve already gotten to know their business neighbors nearby and have already been wrangled into coordinating the association’s “Shop La Plata on Small Business Saturday” this year, which is the weekend following Thanksgiving Day.
“One thing we like, that is unique, is that right here on this corner, we have our friend that has Centerpiece Boutique [& Design],” Stacy said. “When they finish here, we send them on down to Centerpiece Boutique, then they can go over to Island Music [Company], and then they’re right there by Casey’s (Casey Jones Restaurant) to sit and have something to eat. Then they can head on down to Joson [Fine Jewelry and Home Boutique] that’s down the street.” She said The Loft Salon is nearby as well.
“Everything’s right here. And it works well,” Sandy added. “We don’t overstep each other’s bounds. We help each other out. If we don’t have what you’re looking for I can tell you where to go get it.”
The Morelands have up to 25 artisans and crafters represented in The Little Corner Shoppe, including turned wood bowls, stained glass, headbands, baby accessories, dog accessories, jewelry and greeting cards, along with soaps, candles and body products. There’s even a vendor that makes ornaments out of blue crab shells.
“We try to put a large variety of items in here. Each week we try to add something new,” Stacy said. “One of the rules that we made when we decided to open, was that we would not have two vendors at the same time that make the same item.”
“Everything here is handmade. It’s all locally made,” Sandy said. “These bowls, they’re from trees that fell down in La Plata.”
The two are always looking for unique handmade products, and with their early success are hoping to move into a large space next year.
“If it keeps at the rate that it’s going, that’s definitely feasible.” Stacy said.
“We have some of the vendors that are interested in redoing and refinishing furniture. We’re going to need a bigger place for that,” Sandy added.
While some vendors call them about selling their goods on commission or stop by the shop, the family still spends time purusing craft tables at events in the region.
“We venture out on the weekends to craft fairs and events and walk around to see the kinds of things we don’t have here and we think is unique, and we’ll give them our card,” Stacy said.
“We get a lot of enjoyment knowing we’re helping support local artists,” she added. “Everything that’s bought here, directly supports an artist that is right here in the local area.”