Two lower River Street retail shops celebrating one-year anniversaries
TROY, N.Y. >> Two lower River Street retail shops are celebrating their one-year anniversaries as members of the downtown business community.
Mindful Intentions and Wooden Shoe Trading Company will each have ribbon cutting ceremonies with the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District on Friday evening, marking their first year milestones.
First, at 6 p.m., event-goers will visit Mindful Intentions at 193 River St. This business, operated by JD Fielding and Stephanie Burch, offers intention jewelry and metaphysical supply, with a mindful twist. Along with handmade jewelry, the shop
carries incense, mindful decor, smudging supplies, statuary items, a custom oil-based fragrance called ‘Intention,’and is the only Silver Forest earring retailer in the Troy area.
“Whether it is a bracelet, an object that one carries in their pocket, the idea is that every piece should mean something significant to the owner,” Fielding said in a press re-
lease. “So that every time he or she looks at it, they remember a particular intention.”
Mindful Intentions also provide workshops and classes in meditation, yogic practice, and other healing arts, as well as a free of charge Mindful Room where customers can take a meditative respite.
Fielding and Stephanie Burch opened Mindful Intentions in the sunny corner space in December of 2017, garnering support from the local community
and making fast friendships with neighboring business owners.
One of those neighboring businesses is Wooden Shoe Trading Company, which will celebrate its first year in business with an event at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Located at 186 River St., the Wooden Shoe Trading Company carries simple, useful and beautiful goods from both near and far, made locally and around the globe.
A family business, the shop is operated by Erik
and Cheri VandenBerg along with their daughter Jacoba, whose study abroad in Latvia was part of the inspiration for the business.
In a time of throwaway culture, Erik is excited to offer items that are longlasting, pleasing to the touch and made with quality materials, evoking the natural environment. The Wooden Shoe’s inventory includes pottery, linens and scarves from Latvia and soapstone mugs and cups from Brazil, wooden games and puzzles, one-
of-a-kind prints and cards and handmade leather chairs and bags.
“We have simple daily items that you may need; well- designed items that you never knew you needed,” Erik said in a press release, “and unique items that you want.”
Both Mindful Intentions and Wooden Shoe Trading Company are happy to be part of the downtown Troy business scene, and hope that members of the community will help them celebrate this special anniversary at their ribbon cut- ting events on Friday.
More information about Mindful Intentions, open Tuesday through Sunday, is available online at www.mindfulintentions.online.
Wooden Shoe Trading Company is open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, with more information available online at www.woodenshoetradingcompany.com.