Q. When did you open the business? In 2019, we (Rachel and Kim) joined forces to open our first space together. The flagship store is in Founders’ Food Hall & Market, and it shares the works of not only ourselves but many of the talented local artists across PEI. Previously in 2016, Kim had a small shop, called “the Makers” in North Rustico during the first summer the North Rustico Sea Walk Park shops opened. I was minimally involved, but from that time we dreamt we would own a space together. Our vision is to celebrate our local talent with unique offerings that we work with artists to create. Q. Who are the owners of the business? Sisters, Kim Roach (illustrator/ designer) and myself, Rachel Peters (photographer.) Kim’s background is marketing and mine is in the arts. Q. What roles do each of you play in Oh Hey PEI? Our roles vary and they are also the same. It is our collective dream to be able to share the incredible talent that PEI has to offer. To do this we have to use our individual talents. Kim does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work as well as the illustrations and designs that you see throughout some of our shop and in our branding. I work on store experience and the visual feel of shopping in our space, the social media, and photograph the products and document our time together. We work together to develop the products and the marketing plan. Our staff is small but mighty and we are so proud to have them as part of the Oh Hey family. Their growth and learning of new skills are so important to us as well. We have big dreams, and we love that we get to include them in our growth. Every one of them has played a role in helping our store and vision come to life and make it through these past few tough years. That’s something we are so grateful for. Of course, there are lots of other roles you do as self-employed owners and operators but one of the best parts of working together as sisters, and best
friends, is that you get to dream the biggest you have ever dreamt and work on it together! Q. What products do you sell? We sell local unique gifts and a lot of one-of-a-kind items that are only found in our shop. It’s a wide variety, from candles, jewelry, photography and illustration, to one-of-a-kind art pieces that we love to have in our own homes. Right from the beginning we knew we wanted to work with other local artists and create custom works and pieces that would be special to our shops. We love collaborating with other artists. How were you affected by Fiona? Our original “By the Sea” location, which was located in the little yellow lighthouse structure in our home harbour of North Rustico, was devastated by Hurricane Fiona this past fall. Literally and figuratively. Fiona had picked up the building, ripped out the floor, products, decks, and anything connected to the building out to sea, all the while filling it with surged ocean water to the roof where it sustained for most of the day. The building is no longer usable by us and sits sideways on the coastline in the harbour with sea water washing up around it. The mental and financial ruin from Fiona to our business, and so many other fellow business owners, has been horrible and heartbreaking. Will you rebuild? Any plans for the future? Thanks for asking. Proof to us that communities and small businesses are resilient, and that caring for each other through tragedies is still strong on PEI, is powering us through. One wave at a time, we will get through this all together. We are quickly working on creating a new artisan goods shop/take-away coffee location, fabricated with two sea shipping containers. Our two 40ft containers are being modified to create a modern, warm, airy and inviting space for both locals and visitors. Graciously, Robbie and Kendra of Brackley Bay Oyster Co have offered to help us out by sharing some of their
land in Brackley Beach where they are setting up their new location for Brackley Bay Oyster Co. It warms our hearts to know others care and would miss our business. We have a great team of local tradespeople helping us and all are on board to make this happen. We know this will be a great asset to the North Shore, as well as a perfect partnership with Brackley Bay Oyster Co. At our new Brackley location, we will be carrying our own products as well as some other local makers’ unique collaborations. We will have some different offerings/services in Brackley that will be unique only to this space. Samuel’s coffee will be served, and owner Moyna and her staff will help us set up the take-away portion of the shop. We are grateful for so many amazing resourceful small business friends who are helping us make this dream come true. Having coffee on the North Shore open into (hopefully) December will be a first for that area, and from people approaching us, will be a welcome option. Q. Tell us a bit about your experiences running your business? Running a business as a self-employed artist is equal to a constant ever- changing learning experience, while being on a roller-coaster. You really have to be ready to pivot and change as quickly as needed. We meet so many amazing clients and so many amazing artists. The stories from these people help us keep on dreaming! Where are your products available in addition to the Founders Hall location? Our products are available online and at Founders’ Food Hall and soon at Brackley Beach at our new location. Both stores will have some unique offerings and services.
www.ohheypei.com
SUMMER 2023 www.pei-living.ca
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