More retail is coming to downtown as a brand-new store, Canby Gifts and Toys, prepares to open at the Dahlia Building.
The store is the brainchild of Mary Hanlon, principal of Hanlon Development, which built the Dahlia and is leading the redevelopment of the Canby Civic Block, along with her daughter, Maya Kinley-Hanlon and others.
The fun and creativity at the heart of Canby Gifts hits you as soon as you walk through the front door. Handmade pottery line shelves next to jars of marshmallow fluff. A rustic, rough-hewn wood cabinet overflows with handmade baby blankets and cards.
A rusty wheelbarrow (filled with one-of-a-kind birdhouses and garden tools) brushes shoulders with a vintage aeroplane riding toy (one of the few display items that are not for sale, much to my 3-year-old’s dismay).
The store offers a diverse mix of locally hand-crafted wares, antiques, fair-trade imports and other rare finds that are unique to the Canby area. Maya Kinley-Hanlon, who handles social media and purchasing for the new store, said much of her inspiration draws from childhood shopping trips with her mom, and their desire to recreate the fun and thrill of discovery.
In broad strokes, it markets in gifts, toys (for children and pets), home decor and furnishings, books and games. There are also some foodstuffs, including from the Canby-based gourmet chocolatier Puddin’ River Chocolates, but even these are more aimed at prospective gift buyers. In other words, this is not exactly where you’d be headed with your weekly grocery list.
Kinley-Hanlon says they are trying to fill a need for Canby.
Mary Hanlon said that as the Dahlia continues to attract new restaurants and eateries — not only Wayward Sandwiches, which just opened last month, but also a couple more that are currently under development — the role played by Canby Gifts will be to provide an “active space” for residents and visitors. Basically, give people something new to do in downtown Canby.
An opening date has not yet been set, though it could be any day now. The store is ready and is just waiting for a final inspection and green light from Clackamas County.
For more information, check them out on Facebook or at canbygifts.com. And be sure to check out our full interviews with Maya and Mary in Thursday’s episode.
