The Peach Basket Co has found a new orchard to call home.
Owners Dina Fine and Hayley Fine DIehl are leaving their current home in Festival Marketplace and heading for 315 Front Street where they plan to have a grand opening this weekend.
“The move came about, over the past year because we really felt, although the mall location was wonderful for our beginnings and exposure, we felt a corporate feel and partnership just didn't align with our values,” said Fine.
Fine’s daughter, Fine Diehl, said she is very excited about the new location.
“The new location is an amazing, old historical building in the community and we love the character and our landlord has been an incredible support in believing in what we do,” Fine Diehl said. “Our hopes are to bring the building back to life and revisit its historical significance while we have an opportunity to expand and grow all the things our customers have loved about what we are already doing."
The business started as a mother/daughter crafting duo that really wanted to support other businesses while providing an outlet for their own creative natures, and allowing the owners a platform that can benefit the community in general. The duo’s vision has always been a retail store but also to move towards a destination location with an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.
“The new location has allowed us an incredible space that expands on our children's area where people can come and not only shop the retail space but meet a friend or enjoy some toys and colouring while enjoying complimentary coffee at our coffee bar,” Fine said.
The new location will feature handmade creations from over 20 local vendors, bringing everything from artwork, candles, honey, self-care items, apparel, jewellery and more.
“All the vendors we carry pride themselves in natural and non toxic products that are safe and healthy for everyone and shopping with them puts food in the mouths of their families, which is amazing,” said Fine Diehl.
A new aspect of the new location is the addition of an event space.
“It's called THE GROVE and it caters events of all kinds for up to 20-25 people at an affordable rate," Fine said. "You can not only just simply rent the room for a meeting or book club but if you want our help in planning a birthday, bridal shower, or any other celebration, we have collaborated with some amazing local businesses to make that happen."
The grand opening is February 1, but it will be more of a soft opening with Valentine mini-sessions for $50 for families up to five. The event space is slated to be ready in a few weeks, and The Peach Basket Co will be planning a customer appreciation event. Giving back to and supporting the community is a key mandate for this mother/daughter team.
“Supporting the community has always been a core value to not only our business model but who we are as individuals,” said Fine. “We continue to have our beloved gumball machines with all the proceeds going directly to The Stratford General Hospital Foundation. We supported the House of Blessing Christmas Toy Drive this past holiday dropping off four huge boxes of toys for kids this holiday season and hope to surpass that in 2025. You will always find the House of Blessings toonie strips at our front counter and we have a new and huge candy wall in the new location with 25 cents of every bagged candy going to a local charity to be determined each year.”
Working with other local businesses to give back is also important to them as well.
“We also continue throughout the year to be open to collaborations to fund raise with other local businesses as we did last year for a successful fundraiser, with one of our amazing creators, that raised over $800 for Emily Murphy,” said Fine Diehl.
The Peach Basket Co will be running on their winter hours for now: closed Monday, open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., open Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.