Meet Your Merchant - Lyon Distilling Company

Name Of Business: Lyon Distilling Company

Location: 605 S Talbot Street #6

Website: www.lyondistilling.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lyondistilling

Phone number: (443) 333-9181

Hours of operation: 

Fridays 1-5 / Saturday 12-6 

Other times available by appointment

Who are the owners?

Jaime Windon and Ben Lyon

How and why you started your business?  (any background info would be helpful)

Ben worked for a small distillery after college, and Jaime is an avid spirits enthusiast, so after moving here in 2012, they decided St. Michaels was an ideal location for the distillery.

What do you sell/make/do?

We make a series of signature rums, a corn whiskey, as well as a traditional Maryland rye whiskey.

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?

Lyon Distilling Co. is located in the Historic Mill District.  The mill has a fascinating history and wonderful industrial architecture, with added benefit of being pedestrian friendly.  Visitors are also in close proximity to the winery and brewery, creating a booze trifecta unlike anywhere else in the state!

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?

Our focus is to create absolutely superb small batch spirits whose reputation speaks for itself.  We're happy that people like the look of the bottles, but to us, it's what's inside the bottle that is most important.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?

After building a great reputation over the last year and a half, the goal is to expand production to markets where we have demand, but haven't been able to sell to simply because we are very much a boutique scale operation.

What is the best thing about running a business here?

St. Michaels is a beautiful town, with a great community, and fantastic history.  It's also incredibly exciting to see all the new businesses thriving here, and a new generation of visitors discovering the town.

Meet Your Merchant - Calico Toys and Games

Name Of Business:  Calico Toys & Games
Location:  212 S. Talbot St
Website:  calicotoysandgames.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/calicotoysandgames
Phone number:410-745-6229
Hours of operation:

10:00am-5:30pm Sunday – Thursday

10:00am-6:00pm Friday & Saturday

Who are the owners?

Brad & Pamela Fout

How and why you started your business?
We purchased Calico Gallery in 2001 after Brad retired from Lucent Technologies. At that time, Calico was a large gallery of framed Chesapeake oriented art downstairs and a great toy store upstairs. It was also the highest quality Custom Framing shop in Talbot County. It was also our favorite business to visit when we were tourists.

So, we didn't actually start Calico Gallery, we just wanted to improve on one of the oldest retail traditions in St. Michaels.   After doubling sales after the first six years, we were hit by the recession. The “Framed Art” part of the business took a huge dive – folks stopped buying expensive pieces off the wall. So, instead of shutting down, we re-engineered the business to primarily all toys and children’s books.

Fun and Educational toys, books and games, too!

Though we do not advertise Custom Framing, we have kept almost all of our high level customers and actually added many through referrals.

The Framing Shop

What do you sell/make/do?
Calico Toys and Games offers fun, educational and retro toys, games and puzzles for Infant to 99!
We specialize in children's books, framed art and Celebrate St. Michaels posters from the St Michaels Art League. Brad makes all of the custom framed art.

The Fun Place in St. Michaels!

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?
We're located at 212 S. Talbot Street, a brightly painted two story building, colored in fun primary colors, blue, red and yellow, in the center of the shopping district.  Look for our many toy displays out front!

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?

We're always using local advertising, discount coupons and programs, throughout the year.  We also consider offering the best selection and customer experience possible for repeat customers and to help with word of mouth advertising. 

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?

Keep providing the largest selection of the best Toys, Games, Puzzles and children’s books under one roof on the Eastern Shore. Push shopping local via coupon mailers, and local discounts.

Games Galore!

What is the best thing about running a business here?

It is a beautiful place where people love to visit, so for the most part your customers are happy and excited to be here. It is especially nice when your business becomes a part of the customer’s tradition.

Calico Toys and Games...educational fun, like this puppet show.

Meet Your Merchant - Justine's Ice Cream Parlour

Name Of Business: Justine’s Ice Cream Parlour

Location:  106 N. Talbot St. St. Michaels, MD

Website:  www.justinesicecreams.com

Facebook:
Justines Ice Cream Parlour

Phone number: 410-745-0404

Hours of operation:

Monday – Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

Friday – Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Who are the owners?  

Kathy Lash & Joe Trippi 

Tyler Heim, Manager 

How and why you started your business? 

Justine's Ice Cream Parlour has been scooping ice cream and selling shakes for over 25 years in St. Michaels.  In 2012, we purchased the ice cream parlour because my family always loved visiting Justine's in the summer.  We all enjoyed the selections on Tom Quimby’s Famous Wall of Shakes and we wanted to bring that original energy, style, and those recipes back to the parlor.  Quite frankly, we thought it would be fun – and it has been! 

  

What do you sell/make/do? 

We work hard to give our guests a total ice cream experience.  We have been serving premium Jack and Jill Ice Cream since the store opened.  Last year we added to our selection of flavors making our own "homemade" ice creams.  We serve our guests the highest quality products and a variety of frozen dessert treats.  We still make our root beer floats, banana splits, ice cream sodas and New York egg creams the old fashioned way but have added new innovative sundaes to the menu to appeal to every taste.  We love ice cream! 

  

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location? 

Justine’s is located at 106 North Talbot Street in St Michaels. 

  

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?

Justine's has been a mainstay business in St Michaels for over 25 years and is known by locals and returning visitors as a fun spot for a delicious frozen treat.  We believe that ice cream should be as much about memories as it is about new discoveries.  We have created unique flavors for our homemade ice cream --flavors that are inspired by ingredients that are available to us locally and reflect the season.  We want every visit to Justine’s to be an experience – something that our guests will remember and join us again. 

What is your strategy for growth in the next year? 

In previous years, our business plan was based on a business to customer strategy.  This year, we want to expand to a business to business strategy and sell our homemade ice cream flavors outside of Justine’s.  We hope that you will soon find our Cocoa Dream, Raspberry Oreo, Rum Raisin and Café Mocha flavors at your favorite local restaurants. 

  

What is the best thing about running a business here? 

It has to be the people – our guests and friends who have been so loyal to us year after year.  Without them, we would not have the opportunity to grow our business.  We feel very blessed to have such loyal friends and promise to keep working hard to serve the highest quality ice cream desserts with friendly prompt service.

Meet Your Merchant- Black Walnut Point Inn - Tilghman Island

Name Of Business: 

Black Walnut Point Inn

Location: 

4417 Black Walnut Point Rd, Tilghman Island

Website: blackwalnutpointinn.com

Facebook: blackwalnut.pointinn

Phone number: 410-886-2452

Hours of operation: 

9am-5pm, Everyday

Who are the owners?
Bob and Tracy

How and why you started your business? We were led to the Inn eight years ago.  It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, Tracy was shown the Inn and point in a vision when he was three, painted it when he was twelve, and Bob and Tracy first came to the Inn eight years ago and knew God wanted them at the Inn.  We took over the Inn five years ago.  Since then new guests, weddings and people who have needed to be at the Inn have utilized their Sanctuary Discount, and then business has grown every year.

What do you sell/make/do?  Bed and Breakfast, Weddings, Respite.  

We are open year-round, so everything is heated and air conditioned. The waterfront cabins feature private screened-in porches, full kitchens, gas fireplaces and king-sized beds overlooking the Choptank River.  The main house is a 1840's farm house, and features four unique choices to stay, and includes the common eating and relaxing areas, including a breathtaking view on the screened porch. 

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?  Please see above.  We have also expanded with fund raisers for the local community. We also advertise with Gift Certificates for specific Silent Auctions in the Baltimore and DC community.

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment? We tell our story and advertise the ‘secret place of peace’.  Our location and marketing describes a place to get away from the norm, with nature, seasonal interest, gardens - both flower, vegetable and fruit and peace that surrounds us.  Sunrise and sunsets on both sides of our lawn lure guests to the Inn.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year? Our weddings and ability to host guests and events year-round have increased our season.  Internet marketing through hotel sites have proven very beneficial.

What is the best thing about running a business here?   We are doing what we are supposed to be doing.

Meet Your Merchant - Sail Selina II

 

Name Of Business: Sail Selina II

Location: 101 N Harbor Road, St Michaels

Website: www.sailselina.com

Facebook: SailSelinaII

Phone number: 410-726-9400

Hours of operation: 10am-9:30pm

Who are the owners?                  Capt. Iris Clarke

How and why you started your business?  I inherited my grandfathers yacht the Selina II in 2001 and did a major restoration on her before I started offering sailing charters in 2003. 

What do you sell/make/do? We offer sailboat rides, sunset champagne cruises, private charters (especially popular with young couples getting engaged), romantic table for two dinner cruises, beer & wine tasting tours, ♥elopements and small intimate weddings♥, sailing lessons, anything to do with being on the water on a sailboat.  We love to set sail!

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location? I chose to run Selina II in St Michaels because it is the community closest to where I live on the shore that has enough tourism to support a charter boat business.  Subsequently I have moved to the area, I love it here

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment? Trip Advisor reviewers have been very kind and other folks read the rave reviews and sign up. Many folks find us on the web, and lots of the B&B owners refer guests to us.  We also get a lot of repeat business, its nice to see everyone come back.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year? I just try to keep up with what everyone says you should do, have an online presence with google, facebook & other social media, and create package deals offering an overall enhanced St Michaels experience.  This year the Knot's concierge service has picked us up as their elopement offering, we are very excited.

What is the best thing about running a business here? Everyone is so friendly.  St Michaels has a disproportionately large percentage of warm hearted, smart, great people many of whom I call friends. I am so lucky to call this port home.

Meet Your Merchant - Olivin's

 Name of Business:  Olivin's 

Location:
205 N. Talbot St. St. Michaels, MD 21663

Website:  OlivinsStMichaels.com  
Facebook: Olivin's

Phone number:  
Shop: 410-745-2062  Cell: 410-924-6607
Hours of operation: 

April- May 1st Monday and Thursday 10-4

Friday and Saturday 10-5 

Sunday 11-4

After May 1st:  Monday thru Saturday  10-5, Sundays 11-4

Who are the owners? Bill Acosta

How and why you started your business?  Went to a tasting room in New York and loved it. Decided it was time to get back into my own business where I could be creative. I used to own a health club for 18 years in PA. I am a personal trainer and life coach. I missed interaction with people and having a business to let my creative juices get used. I like the best of everything in life and with health background felt EVOO, aged balsamic vinegar,coffee,dark chocolate and sea salt were better choices . As a former trainer and life coach I enjoy helping others have a fun experience and take there tastes buds on a journey.

What do you sell/make/do?  Olivin's is that fun tasting experience. We sell Extra virgin flavor infused olive oils, aged Italian Balsamic vinegar, flavored sea salts, Artisan dark chocolate, award winning maple syrup, amazing lemon curd, locally fresh roasted coffee and more. I search the globe and try to source locally whenever possible for the best healthy products.

 Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?  Olivin's is located at 205 North Talbot street near Mill street. I chose the location because there was a public parking lot and rest rooms in back and entrance to CBMM.

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?   My strategy is simple: Put others 1st above profits. Provide a fun tasting experience in St Michaels. Yes you can taste pretty much everything we sell. A huge inventory and selection to choose from. Plus and coach who loves people to guide you on your adventure. We provide pairings and give many cooking suggestions.. I feel networking with other businesses is also very important. I see a vision that we make St Michaels an amazing destination for day trippers and vacationers and maybe they make this their home.. You the customer comes first. We strive to make that happen. We listen to our customers and will continually push towards being the best we can be for them period.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?   My strategy for growth is do it better, listen better and be creative and cutting edge wherever possible. I have faith that I am the worker and God will be faithful to that as I trust him. Showing others kindness and compassion in a world that needs unconditional love is my core belief.

What is the best thing about running a business here?   The best thing about running a business is be able to have an avenue for my creativity and be in a position to serve others to make there life a little better. I feel I was led to St Michaels and love this opportunity. Thanks to all my supporters and friends and family who make this adventure possible.

Meet Your Merchant - Flying Fred's

Name Of Business:  Flying Fred's

Location: 202 N Talbot St St. Michaels MD 21663

Website: flyingfreds.com

Facebook: Flying Fred's

Phone number: 410-745-9601

Hours of operation: 

April -  Wednesday to Monday 10am to 5 pm

May - December 7 days a week 10 am to 5 pm

Who are the owners? John and Bonnie Booth  

How and why you started your business?  It all started with an adorable brown and white Jack Russell Terrier named Fred who began coming to work with us at Five Gables Inn & Spa when he was just a spotted little puppy.   

We decided that our love for our own animals could be reflected into a pet boutique, knowing that we could offer personalized service and distinctive accessories and gifts to fellow pet lovers. Naming it after Fred and his amazing jumping ability seemed the most obvious choice.

What do you sell/make/do? We sell Treats, Toys, Collars, Leads and unique gifts for pets and their owners.

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?  We are located on Talbot Street right across from Five Gables Inn & Spa and we are the very own Pet Boutique of the pet friendly Inn.

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment?  We carry high quality healthy treats for pets and if you bring your pet they will get a free treat.

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?  Our goal is to expand our customer service to locals and visitors with specialty gifts ready to go for all occasions. We will put it  together with love and care to cater to  all your and your pets needs.

What is the best thing about running a business here?  St. Michaels is known as a very dog friendly town .

Meet Your Merchant - Dragonfly Galleria

Name Of Business:  Dragonfly Galleria 

Location: Old Mill District
605 S. Talbot St. and
100 E. Chew Ave., St. Michaels, MD.  21663

Website info: www.dragonflygalleria.com
Facebook:  DragonflyGalleria

Phone number:
(410) 745-5600   Cell:  (410) 409-2454

Hours of operation:
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 am- 6:00 pm

Who are the owners?       
 Shelley Abbott and Anita Campbell

How and why you started your business?  Dragonfly Galleria was opened in Cambridge, MD in 2013 and relocated to St. Michaels December of 2014.  We started our business because we believe everyone deserves access to the “Magic Of Art” at an affordable cost.  Our Galleria houses museum quality art such as Renoir and Salvadore Dali, to your next door neighbor’s creations.  Our owners have been avid art collectors for years as well as being crafters and designers of many items sold in the Galleria. 

What do you sell/make/do?  Acrylic and Oil Paintings, Photography, Notecards, Jewelry, Stone Sculptures, Etched and Painted Glassware, Soaps & Lotions, Collectibles, Native American Items, Stained Glass and Mosaics, Wind chimes and Mobiles, Crab Basket Art and Sea Glass, Buoy Fish and Gifts Galore. All of our creations are hand crafted originals or vintage collectibles.

Where is your business located and why did you chose your location?  The Old Mill District in the Old Mill Building 100 E. Chew Avenue, St. Michaels, MD  We chose this location because it is a very artisan area of St. Michaels filled with charming historical buildings and will soon be home to two museums in the near future.

What strategies do you use to draw people to your establishment?  We advertise daily and offer great discounts to all of our customers.  We change our inventory each day always inviting a new form of art to our collections.  We are also very supportive of our community offering classes and education of the Arts to both adults and children. 

What is your strategies for growth in the next year?  We are planning to expand in the very near future to a building located adjacent to us offering availability to offer a larger selection of Art as well as classroom area for our upcoming art classes and exhibits.  It is our goal to have ample room for parking, an area for relaxation and the utmost ease of shopping to our visitors.

What is the best thing about running a business here?  Customer turnover, continuous events and promotions within the town, great access from major areas of the state, publicity of St.Michaels in newspapers and tourist publications.

Meet Your Merchant- B's Stitches Needlecrafts

Name Of Business:  B’s Stitches

Location: 209 North Talbot St.

Website: www.b-stitches.com

Facebook: Bs-Stitches

Phone number:  410-745-6146

Hours of operation:  

10:30am – 4pm Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday

  

Who is the owner?  Bonnie Booth

How and why you started your business?  I have a background in art and wanted to do something with it.  I taught myself how to needlepoint and opened my shop.  I love working with hand painted canvases and all the various threads you can use on canvas.

What do you sell/make/do?  Hand painted needlepoint canvas and everything that goes with this including lessons.

Where is your business located and why did you choose your location?  It is in the front of Five Gables.

What strategy do you use to draw people to your establishment? Website/Facebook

What is your strategy for growth in the next year?  Upgrade website

What is the best thing about running a business here?  I love the mix of tourists and locals who come into my shop.  Love all the friends I’ve made.