HARVEY, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Independence Trading Company celebrated their move to a new location with a grand opening in Harvey this morning.
What started as a home business for owner Kristin Demay has long surpassed what she ever imagined. Remembering how it began she shared, “So, 5 years ago, I had a dream, it started with bows and hair pretties. I have 2 daughters that wanted bows and everything, so I started with that.”
Demay says having two girls sparked her interest in making hair accessories and selling her products primarily at craft shows, until 3 years ago when she opened a seasonal brick and mortar store in Big Bay. Pleased with her continued growth Demay told us, “Finally put up an actual storefront and then I realized I wanted it to be so much bigger than just a seasonal store decided to move out here and make it something that people drive by every day.”
Stocked with her own line of apparel, Demay offers her original designs on t-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, pajama pants. Demay told us she prides herself with only using high quality fabrics, mimicking what she would find in her own closet, she told us, “I really strive for a soft product, so you know, texture is a huge thing for me. I like to make sure that a lot of things are made right here in the U.S., so if I can’t, I strive for the quality.”
In addition to her selling her own line, Demay, a U.P. native, strives to support other local businesses selling their products as well and she said, “it’s important you know when you live in such a small community, that really doesn’t feel so small, but it’s a great way to get other local artists to get them out there just as much to get myself out there.
Demay is excited to show off her new storefront and for all the new faces she will meet. The new location can be found at 225 West Terrace, Marquette, Michigan, just off Highway 41 and will be open weekdays from 10 until 5, with weekend hours being added this summer.
To learn more about Independence Trading Company please go here.
