New store promotes small businesses in region

A business savvy pair are working together to promote other small local businesses with a new store in Toowoomba which features handmade goods.

New shop "Made with Love" at Toowoomba Plaza. Owners, Stella Gentry (left) and Isabelle Chassain.

Two Toowoomba businesswomen have launched an artisan showroom and retail spare where Darling Downs businesses can come together and sell their products.

Made with Love was launched by Stella Gentry from My Little Finger Prints and Isabelle Chassain from Sugar and Saige in September.

It started out as a pop-up at Walton Stores, and after seeing its success, a more permanent location has just been chosen at Toowoomba Plaza.

Ms Gentry said the pair met at the local markets and wanted to join forces to help other small local businesses in town.

New shop "Made with Love" at Toowoomba Plaza.

“We saw that both our small businesses and many of our colleagues from the market space were suffering, and we wanted to do something affordable to help,” she said.

“Handmade is special, it will always outshine mass-produced goods.

“They are made by people who dedicate themselves to their crafts.”

Thirty-five businesses are part of Made with Love, with a range of goods on offer such as earrings, locally sourced honey, hats, candles, clothes, spices and home decor.

Ms Chassain said they were surprised about how many people wanted to feature their products.

New shop "Made with Love" at Toowoomba Plaza.

“We originally set out to have between 10 and 15 businesses however, when we moved to Toowoomba Plaza, we were approached by lots of small businesses that were struggling so we developed a way to accommodate them in the space,” she said.

“We are approached on an almost daily basis from local small handmade businesses and artists about how they can be part of the space.”

Visit Made with Love at Toowoomba Plaza from Monday to Saturday, or search Made with Love on Facebook.