Stockist Spotlight: Harmony Society // Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Every Saturday we feature all of our different rad stockists because we believe in supporting small business!
1.What's the name of your shop? Where are you located? Tell us about y’all!
My shop is called Harmony Society & we’re located in historic downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We are a yarn, gift and vintage store that also operates as a community space, hosting weekly craft nights & d.i.y. classes like knitting, dyeing, soap making & collage. It’s basically a retail shop & a hangout zone all in one!
2. What made you decide to open? How long have you been around?
My first job was at a vintage boutique & I absolutely loved working there! I loved every aspect of retail…especially buying & merchandising. That job taught me so much over the years & fueled my desire to go to design school & eventually to own my own shop one day.
We have been open for 3.5 years now & are constantly evolving and growing.
3. What's your favorite thing about being a small biz owner?
My favorite thing about being a small business owner is the freedom that comes with being my own boss, being able to do things on my own time & not having to take orders from another person. It’s kind of wild being able to take all the things you love to do (like thrifting & knitting) and putting them under one roof to create a viable business. I honestly can’t imagine anything better!
Oh, and I really like that I can wear whatever I want to work and nobody can give me crap about it :)
4. What's your favorite thing to buy for your store? How has the shop allowed you to discover new artists/product/?
I love buying for the shop! It’s hands down my favorite part of running of this business. I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite thing to buy because I love so many different things and I think my shop is representative of that.
I will say, I really traveling, going out picking at flea markets, thrift shops, yard sales and peoples homes; the thrill of the hunt…never knowing what you’re going to find, it’s so exhilarating! Plus, I get a lot of joy in seeing other folks fall in love with the things that I’ve carefully chosen to bring in. Over the holidays, I got the best compliment from a womyn visiting from Brooklyn — “you have the best selection of weird pants I’ve ever seen.” I don’t think she realized it but that made my whole year!
And, I’ve been introduced to so many amazing womyn just from having this shop. Whether it’s yarn, ceramics or apothecary items, I’d say 90% of the handmade goods we sell are from small, womyn owned & operated brands, so that’s really wonderful, being part of this web of female entrepreneurs who are constantly working to help boost up & promote each other.
5. Why did you want to open your store? What was your mission/intention?
I’d been dreaming of doing it for so long that I started to feel like if I didn’t do it soon, I was never going to do it. It’s the one thing I knew I would have regret the most if I didn’t at least try.
Our mission has changed with time but could probably just be whittled down to “empowerment through craft.” There’s something really satisfying & life affirming about being able to take raw materials & with a little bit of skill & practice, create the wardrobe of your liking. I guess that’s what Harmony Society is about…building the life and wardrobe you want and making a bunch of amazing friends along the way.
