Located at 8120 Main Street in Historic Ellicott City, Original Souls is a gift store and gallery specializing in unique and beautiful creations from artists and artisans from around the world.
Many of the vendors are committed to socially responsible business practice, adhere to fair trade principles and donate to charitable organizations. A portion of the store profits are also donated to non-profit organizations.
Artists represented in Original Souls are from near and far. The store carries unique merchandise including ceramic pottery, sculpture, picture frames, handmade jewelry, baby clothes, non toxic toys for children. You will find silk scarves from Ethiopia and Tibet, as well as traditional wedding baskets from Indonesia. Also featured are recycled jewelry as well as fine dinnerware. Paintings, woodwork, music and books are also to be found at Original Souls.
So who are the proprietors of this innovative store on Main Street?
Both ex-nurses and good friends, Oella resident Sheila Morrison and Ellicott City resident Diane Standeven have joined forces as co-owners of Original Souls.
Both ex-nurses and good friends, Oella resident Sheila Morrison and Ellicott City resident Diane Standeven have joined forces as co-owners of Original Souls.
Sheila and Diane tell their story:
"We operate our store with the belief that each person can have a positive impact upon the lives of others. Original Souls is a community-centered store and we invite you to explore our treasures. Setting up the shop has been a labor of love and we think you will like our efforts...
...It is said that it takes a village to raise a child and our community of friends and family surely helped us birth Original Souls. We officially opened our doors with a Grand Opening on March 29th; members of the Centennial High School Jazz Band were on hand to welcome our guests and friends. Well-wishers and customers crowded the store and shopped our inventory of unique merchandise...
...To inaugurate our vision of operating a socially responsible business, we donated a portion of our profits to the Keeley Imel Fund , a fund initiated by neighbors, family and friends of the Imel family. Keeley is a 14 year old child who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has been treated at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This fund is to help offset medical costs for her family."
Please contact Sheila Morrison and Diane Standeven for further details. Our telephone number is 410-461-2300 and our e-mail address is originalsouls@gmail.com. Check-out our website at www.originalsouls.net. Original Souls is open from Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. through 6 p.m. Please visit us soon.
Blog by Kay Weeks; photos by Weeks and Morrison.
For comprehensive information on Historic Ellicott City, please visit Jeremy Kipp Clark's web site: http://www.ellicottcity.net/
2 comments:
Good Afternoon Kay,
Thanks for this Ellicott City, Maryland focus. I usually stop by the Bean Hollow when I am on Main Street. My family and I have enjoyed many times.
Warm Spring Regards, Denee
Great work.
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