DTR’s new Gathering Gallery does good by promoting inclusivity and supporting local.
If you’re all about making your dollar count, check out one of DTR’s newest storefronts, Gathering Gallery. Founded by former Wake County Public Schools teacher Erica Heilmann, the East Hargett Street shop is dedicated to selling locally made items and curated brands that are ecofriendly, handmade, fair trade, women-opened or Black-owned—and not on Amazon (think Designed for Joy, the first local brand with which Heilmann partnered).
And—extending her mission to do good and make an impact—at the beginning of the year, Gathering Gallery also started employing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The ultimate pivot, Gathering Gallery was born out of Heilmann’s desire for a career change that maintained her impact on the community once she determined returning to teaching wasn’t in the cards. After taking a leave of absence during the virtual 2020–21 school year to give students safe in-person interaction—teaching four children from three families (her “pod family”)—she joined The Locality, a hub for Triangle-based female entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate, which earned her the know-how to make Gathering Gallery a reality.
“When I landed on the concept of having my own retail store and employing adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” she says, “I knew I had found the right fit.”
So Heilmann sold her house in Cary to fund her business and moved to Downtown Raleigh, putting together her store in a matter of weeks with the help of her pod family—with intentional design details like a kids’ nook complete with comfortable seating, and space between the aisles for strollers and four-legged friends. And speaking of those four-legged friends and being all-inclusive, you can of course pick something up for Fido (think dog toys, treats and accessories) while shopping for yourself.
“I chose the name Gathering Gallery because I want my store to be an oasis—a comfortable, peaceful space where everyone is welcome,” says Heilmann.
Stocking her store with local products to support her surrounding community was also important to Heilmann, as, she says, “I couldn’t have done it without the community around me,” adding: “That is why I think of it as the store the community built and the community the store built. The second part is just beginning.”
Plans for that second part include art openings, pop-ups, private shopping parties, First Friday events and more—making Gathering Gallery the perfect place to gather. We’ll see you there, Raleigh. @gatheringgallerync
Holiday shopping is in full force, and Downtown Raleigh Alliance, StartUp at Wake Tech and LM Restaurants are making it easier than ever for you to shop local via Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street. Check everyone off your list via such select tenants as as Chance’s RDU vintage and secondhand, and TrêsLife natural hair and body. Happy giving! 17 E. Martin St.
Chance’s RDU
Well this is tee-rific news: Topgolf is opening a new three-level, 102-bay venue at the Park on Page development near RTP late summer 2022, tapping in as Topgolf’s third NC location. Putter late than never! topgolf.com
The Zen is in at Cary’s new Kuantum Life—focused on transforming through harmony of the body, mind and spirit via a wide range of transformative selects—from books, jewelry and gifts to crystals, apparel, and even its own line of locally made aromatherapy oils. 115-A W. Chatham St., Cary
A true “rags to riches” American Dream triumph, Tanzanian immigrant Lilian Danieli’s just-opened DTR Nashona brick-and-mortar (the premiere location is in Goldsboro) houses must-don colorful, showstopping dresses, tops, skirts and accessories handcrafted with vibrant African fabrics. 21 W. Hargett St.
Extreme Makeover meets curated art as the NCMA gets a collection redesign with new major works loaned from state, national and international museums in honor of the 75th anniversary of the NC legislature designating state funding to create the People’s Collection at the NCMA (aka its free permanent collection) next year. 2110 Blue Ridge Road
WEB EXCLUSIVE Transfer Co. Food Hall and CLTure are hosting their first annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 20.
Shopping, music, food and art—oh, my! Whether you’re looking to get a head start on your holiday gift list or just treat yo’self to some local offerings, you’re gonna wanna head to Transfer Co Food Hall for the first annual CLTure + Transfer Co. Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 20.
More than 20 local businesses will be in attendance, including Oak City Hot Sauce, Elevated Chocolates, The Pour House Record Shop and Quail Ridge Books, to name a few (seriously, you’ll be able to check off everyone on your list). And while you’re shopping around you can enjoy all your fave food and beverage offerings from the food hall—plus live music from Sonny Miles, Libby Rodenbough, Greg Cox and others out on the patio.
“Transfer Co. Food Hall was built with the intent to be a hub for our community, and we’re very proud to be hosting such a great selection of local vendors and musicians during the holiday season to stimulate the local economy,” says Mark J. Garmise, general manager of Transfer Co. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with CLTure to help promote music, arts and small businesses in the region.” Tickets $5, bit.ly/3nXxhNt
Local skincare brand Good Juju Herbal offers natural and sustainable bar soaps for happy skin.
Judith Jones’ severe eczema gave her a run for her money (quite literally—dumpster diving was even involved…), but after unearthing allergies to 17 common chemicals found in most skincare products, she spent her last $20 on a soap-making kit, to which—guess what—she wasn’t allergic.
Classic sob story turned inspiration, Jones used this basic allergen-friendly soap as the launchpad for her now very successful female-run, 100% natural, sustainable (and affordable!) skincare brand, Good Juju Herbal—and, more recently, as a platform for the Happy Skin Project, which provides people undergoing harsh treatments like chemo or radiation with free, discounted and deeply moisturizing bar soap.
As a former health care provider and a longtime sufferer of troubled skin (who also has a long list of family members touched and taken by cancer), Jones knows that proper and affordable skincare products for fragile or medically impacted skin is an important—yet often overlooked—part of holistic care.
“The Happy Skin Project is a forever type of project for me,” says Jones. “Not only does this work help me process my mom’s terminal cancer diagnosis, but it also highlights the things I care about most in the work that I do… helping [people] achieve healthy skin and thus a more comfortable life.”
The Happy Skin Project is just one of the ways in which Jones is providing better skincare basics, education and community to others. And it’s working out pretty well for her too. After all, she went from dumpster diving to being featured in the likes of Vogue, HuffPost, People, BuzzFeed and more. Talk about a success story.
Good Juju Herbal is also currently going zero waste as part of the company’s focus on sustainability (all products are made from plants and naturally derived ingredients). The gentle yet hardworking handmade soap is vegan and formulated for any sex, any age, any skin—hence every “body”—and can even be used as a laundry detergent (a win-win!).
So if you have skin issues yourself, or just appreciate well-made skincare products that’ll make you feel good, throw a bar of soap in your cart (there are tons of great seasonal scents from which to choose—including spiced pumpkin and cinnamon oatmeal!)… and consider donating a Happy Skin Project bar for just $2 more while you’re at it. Scrub-a-dub-dub… feelin’ good in the tub! goodjujuherbal.com
WEB EXCLUSIVELenovo’s newest Evolve Small Campaign is designed to bring much-needed relief to local small businesses across the nation.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how important local small businesses are. Raleigh is home to tons of them, and saving those that are struggling is crucial. Enter Lenovo’s recently launched program, the Evolve Small Campaign, which—in partnership with Microsoft and Intel—is designed to provide close to $1 million in aid, mentorship and community engagement to Black-, Indigenous- and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses across the nation—including small businesses right here in the City of Oaks.
Lenovo also partnered with the Carolina Panthers with a goal of Empowering the Carolinas. Ten local small businesses will receive technology upgrades and consultative services, and one business will receive a $100,000 advertising sponsorship with the Panthers during the NFL regular season.
The winner of the advertising sponsorship will be announced at the Aug. 27 home game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Each finalist will also receive two tickets to join the other finalists and a Panthers legend (!) in a suite at the game, as well as a VIP Panthers game-day experience that includes 4 lower level tickets, pregame hospitality and parking. What an award, huh?!
Do you have a favorite small business you want to help save—and set them up with some amazing prizes? Nominate them here! Additionally, if you successfully nominate a finalist, you’ll receive a game day VIP package including game tickets, parking and a merch credit at the team store. It’s a win-win!
