Community Corner

Norwood's Inspire Shoppe Delivers Gifts From the Heart

Carole Mellor was looking for a new job after being laid off from Rugged Bear. She had worked in retail all of her life, including working in the gift shop at Norwood Hospital.

Fortunately, she was able to find what she was looking for right around the corner from the hospital. Seven months ago, Mellor opened up Inspire Shoppe at 2 Guild St., in Norwood Center.

The store advertises itself as: "Give a Gift From the Heart Instead of from the Mall." It features local talented craftspeople, and Mellor sells their work on a consignment basis. She also makes her own crafts to sell.

Items range from jewelry to knitted items; handmade cards; Dream Chasers; tea; soaps; handbags; homemade scarves; and kids' items,  just to name a few items. Mellor had 40 vendors in the store, and  is actually running out of space. One suggestion is to go through the store at least three times, so you have a chance to see almost everything.

"This is a dream come true," she said. "I always wanted to do this."

When she was out of work, Mellor tried to find another job, working in a yogurt shop and in telemarketing, which she hated.

"At 61, not too many people were looking to hire me," said Mellor, who has worked in retail, adding with a laugh, "They wanted me to be able to climb a ladder and carry 25 pounds. I'm not sure I could do that 25 years ago. One of the girls interviewed said she wasn't sure she could do that."

Mellor had been the marketing director at Westgate Mall in Brockton and knew that side of the business very well. Fortunately, her husband Bill, whom she has been married to for 43 years, is familiar with the inventory side of the business.

The husband and wife team found that they each had the skills they needed to run the business.

"Carole can look at a bunch of things and make it work. I can find a pile of nails, metal and wood, and make something out of it," said Bill.

After being a follower of craft fairs, Carole had built up a contact list. Right now, the store is quickly running out of space. Bill is looking at ways to build more shelves to hold all the items.


"I said 'OK'," remembered Bill. "I was thinking, 'All right, how are we going to run the business?' I started thinking about how we could do this, what vendors we could get. I wanted to make sure it was a win-win situation for us and the vendors."

Norwood Patch: Why did you get into owning your own business?
Carole Mellor: "I always wanted to have my own gift store. I make crafts and used to go to Cape Cod Crafters and rent space or do craft shows. I used to lug things there, staying the day and then bringing everything home. I always thought it would be nice to have to a place where people could put their crafts."

Norwood Patch: What do like about Norwood and your location?
Carole Mellor: "I researched a couple of places. It just seemed to be a good location and was the right time. My friend was the property manager, and the space become available. It was downtown and near the hospital."

Norwood Patch: What was the first day of work like?
Carole Mellor: "It was like a dream come true. I know a lot of people here, and all my Rugged Bear people came to visit and the people from the hospital came in. They were so supportive."

Norwood Patch: What is your favorite items in the store?
Carole Mellor: "I love the hedgehogs. A lady named Marge makes them and she is a dynamo. I love to see her make the hedgehogs. A girl came in with knitting, and she said she didn't think she was good enough because people had turned her down. She is selling so well. That's great to see. The look on their face when they get their first check is wonderful. On the other side, if they haven't sold anything, I'll buy stuff myself or try to steer people to them."

Norwood Patch: Where do you see the business going in five years?
Carole Mellor: I don't know whether it is going to expand,  or make it a co-op or get a partner. I can't run the store by myself. I thought I could and had grandiose plans, but I can't work seven days a week by myself and do the bookkeeping and make crafts. We have 40 vendors and we have only been here seven months. There are three or four things that have taken off, like stained glass."


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