ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca has a new option for shoppers looking for ethically made clothing, bath and body products, artwork, home goods, and more. Heidi Brown, who lived in Ithaca for about eight years before heading west to Portland, Oregon, opened her Feel Goods store and maker space on Nov. 11. Brown also owns organic […]
ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca has a new option for shoppers looking for ethically made clothing, bath and body products, artwork, home goods, and more.
Heidi Brown, who lived in Ithaca for about eight years before heading west to Portland, Oregon, opened her Feel Goods store and maker space on Nov. 11. Brown also owns organic clothing brand May and Mary.
About a year ago, Brown met with her now landlord and began talking about what sort of spaces were available in Ithaca and what might suit her needs. In March, Brown decided that 317 Taughannock Boulevard, with almost 3,500 square feet, was just what she was seeking.
After some renovations by the landlord including new insulation and lighting, Brown worked on building fitting rooms, painting, and other work to prepare the space.
“It was a lot of work,” she recalls. “It was a full build out.”
The result is a shop with retail space up front and plenty of space in back for a studio, rental space for other makers, and room for DIY workshops.
The shop carries ethically made goods from nearly 50 different makers with products including clothing, socks, artwork, ceramics, and a small selection of curated vintage items.
It’s important to Brown to carry products that are ethically made. “That’s been important to me pretty much my entire life,” she says. Her grandparents, who she spent a lot of time with, helped teach her about conservation and sustainability.
“Fashion is the least sustainable industry we have,” Brown contends. “It’s all about overconsumption.”
Brown first began making clothing from recycled materials, eventually moving to organic and natural materials when she began selling her items wholesale.
Now that she has a storefront, Brown wanted to make sure to carry brands that mesh with her brand. “I think it’s just important to try and do things ethically and sustainably.” She also makes it a point to purchase from business that are part of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
The reaction to the store has been very positive since opening, Brown says. She hasn’t done a lot of advertising yet as there has been a good amount of foot traffic in the area. Most of her advertising has been word of mouth and on social media.
“I was really excited to see there’s a vibrant community,” she says. That community can do more than just shop at Feel Goods. They can also attend workshops to participate in some DIY projects. In January, the store has workshops scheduled for stained glass, ice dyeing, and block printing
“I think it’s a nice way to build community around the store,” she says of the workshops, which are open to people of all creative abilities. “I think these workshops are a place to explore their creativity.” Information about workshops is available on the store’s website: www.feelgoodsithaca.com.
Brown, who staffs the store herself with part-time help from one of the makers, celebrated the grand opening of her store with the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 20.