Did you know that Moonsnail got its start because the owner, Jennifer Ridgway, decided to make soap for her friends and family one Christmas? “It worked out so well that I reserved a booth at the Farmers Market and designed the whole business and initial product line between Christmas and New Years - then started Moonsnail at the Farmers Market in February,” says Ridgway. It has been 25 years since then, and she has grown her business to produce up to 25,000 bars of hand-cut soap each year! “I have received so much help along the way,” she states, “my amazing staff have truly been the secret to Moonsnail’s success.” Moonsnail makes over 20 different varieties of soap, plus other products such as aloe soother gel and spray for sunburn and spearmint spritzers for hot days. There is also the Red Clay and Kelp line to help you remember the lazy days of summer long into the cooler weather. You can see Ridgway and her team of dedicated staff making their full product line in the Moonsnail studio on Water Street in Charlottetown. “We handcraft over 60 bath, body and skincare creations right here, in a woman-led, dynamic workplace that has been supplying Islanders and doing mail order all over the world,” says Ridgway. They make their completely natural products all on site in an open work environment, and are happy to show you what they are up to. “The open production area is just behind the shop,” she says. “You can take a tour and learn about soap making, or watch as creams, balms or bath salts are made and packaged.”
Even the pandemic did not slow them down. They were able to reduce staffing to one person at a time to ensure physical distancing. This meant that they could still make their products, do mail orders and offer curbside pickup. Ridgway says their mail orders were up over 500 per cent! The store has reopened, but they are still accepting online orders that can be shipped anywhere in the world, or picked up curbside. “Since reopening we have been so overwhelmed with customers coming in who want to support us, it has truly been beyond our expectations.” You may have noticed that there is more than soap at the store. Moonsnail boasts a gallery of unique products from many talented local artisans. “We have so many great new items this year,” says Ridgway. “Elva Rose earrings from Danielle Doucette, PEI Potter's Cove pottery by Marilyn MacLean, wonderful artwork with foxes and other creatures by Ashley Anne Clark, a brand new delivery of colourful pottery from Robert McMillan, and silver and enamel jewellery from Ayelet Stewart are all available in store.” You can pop in and see Ridgway and her team in action in Downtown Charlottetown Monday through Friday from 9-9 and Sundays from 12-5.
Moonsnail Soapworks 85 Water St, Charlottetown 902.892.7627 www.moonsnailsoapworks.com
SUMMER 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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