Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsie Aubrey and Denise Miranda.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Elsie and Denise. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Dedham Exchange nonprofit gift shop was founded in 1914 as The Contentment Tea Room and Women’s Exchange, a venue for women to make and sell their handmade items such as hand knitted baby sweaters, hand baked goods, and household items. In 1948, the Dedham Women’s Exchange moved to our current location at 445 Washington St in an historic red barn.
Today, The Dedham Exchange represents 250 artisans from this country and around the globe. We also carry a wide variety of commercial gifts for every occasion and gourmet treats, salad dressings and local honey. The Dedham Exchange is owned and operated by a devoted volunteer corps of forty women who are assisted by talented staff. We remain true to our original mission of supporting artisans by providing an outlet for handcrafted goods, as well as by giving back to the community, making annual donations to educational and philanthropic organizations.
Environmentally-conscious, The Dedham Exchange was awarded its Green Business Certification by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts in 2015 and remains a member of that organization, as well as a member of Dedham Square Circle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Dedham’s local merchants.
The Dedham Exchange is also proud to be a member of the national Federation of Woman’s Exchanges, a consortium of gifts shops initially established to provide an outlet for women to sell handcrafted goods. The founding of the first Woman’s Exchange in Philadelphia in 1832 marked the beginning of what is the oldest continuously operating woman’s movement in the country. This past spring The Dedham Exchange hosted over 40 delegates from thirteen other Exchanges across the country for the Federation’s annual conference. Visit www.wefed.blogspot.com to find out more about the Federation of Woman’s Exchanges and for a complete list of the 20 Exchanges across the country.
The Dedham Exchange welcomes customers Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. During the summer, hours adjust by being closed on Saturdays in July and closed all of August to renovate and give our staff and volunteers a summer break. Please call the shop at 781-326-0627 or visit our website www.dedhamexchange.org for further
information and about becoming a volunteer or an artisan with us.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The Dedham Exchange has been in business for 104 years, thanks to the commitment and support from our many dedicated volunteers and staff, artisans, and customers. Sure, there have been challenges due to the economy, malls, and the internet shopping, but The Dedham Exchange remains an important and welcoming place for shoppers to take time to browse without being rushed and find that unique, handmade gift for just the right person. Our volunteers and staff are friendly and helpful. There is something magical about feeling a hand woven textile or a hand blown glass dish and hearing the story of the artist who created such a one-of-a-kind gift. Personalization, monogramming, and customized orders for baby, graduation or wedding or any gifts set the Exchange apart from the ordinary gift shop. Our shop is also known for selling Dedham Pottery and Simon Pearce glassware, both of which can be personalized. It is enjoyable and relaxing to shop at The Dedham Exchange. Once you step foot in our red barn, you’ll return again and again to find special gifts for the special people in your life.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Dedham Exchange – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Dedham Exchange is proud to help others! We support 250 artisans who hand make wonderful and unique gift items. We are a nonprofit gift shop which means we give back to the community by donating our proceeds to educational and philanthropic organizations such as Dedham High School seniors to help with college tuition, other nonprofit local organizations, especially those that support women and children and also those with challenges such as HESSCO Elder Services, Dedham Youth Commission, SNCARC, and Riverside Community Care. We also give to Hale Reservation and Dedham Community House’s summer camperships for children. The Dedham Exchange cares about the community.
The Dedham Exchange was founded by women and is run by women. There is a strong sense of community service and friendship among our volunteers and staff. The spirit of The Dedham Exchange is positive and supportive. As board members, we each serve on committees and help each other. We have members who have been volunteering for 50 years. We are like family, and we treat our customers and artisans as such.
The Dedham Exchange specializes in hand made gifts for all occasions, especially for baby, wedding, and graduation gifts. We carry many accessories for women, but also gifts for men. Home decor items and hostess gifts are big sellers, as well. The artisans represented at The Dedham Exchange create unique and lasting gifts. We can personalize most gifts such as hand knit Christmas stockings or baby hooded towels, blankets, and pillows, or wedding invitation mirrors. Dedham Pottery and Simon Pearce glassware can also be customized. Customers can always find just the right gift at The Dedham Exchange. And, when shopping at The Dedham Exchange you, too, are helping others!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The Dedham Exchange expects to continue its long history of supporting artisans and giving back to the community! We are so grateful for the efforts of those women who have come before us to allow us to continue their good work. Having just successfully hosted 40 women for the annual meeting of the Federation of Woman’s Exchanges this spring, we are more energized than ever by sharing ideas and artisans with the other Exchanges. Look for new handmade gifts coming into the shop every week. The annual conference took a year to organize, so that was a big focus in addition to the everyday running of the shop.
As an historic barn, which the shop moved into in 1948, there are interior renovation plans in the works to upgrade the heating and cooling systems and modify the display areas. Most of this work will begin in August while we are closed for summer break. Look for these exciting changes when the shop reopens Tuesday September 4, 2018! The fall is always a busy time at The Dedham Exchange, as new gifts come into the shop and we gear up for the holidays. The shop’s business hours expand to be open every day, including Sunday afternoon from 12-5pm between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Besides selling at the shop, The Dedham Exchanges goes to local fairs and assisted living communities to bring our merchandise to others.
We also host trunk shows throughout the year to focus on special artists and products. Be sure to call the shop or check our website for these special events. Join our email list to receive invitations and discount offers. There is always something new going on the The Dedham Exchange!
Pricing:
- Annual June Sidewalk Sale & Post Winter Holiday Sale
- Promotions & Discounts Weekly
- Artisans Receive 70% of the Selling Price of their Handmade Item
Contact Info:
- Address: The Dedham Exchange
445 Washington St.
Dedham, MA 02026 - Website: www.dedhamexchange.org
- Phone: 781-326-0627
- Email: dedhamexchange@gmail.com
- Instagram: The Dedham Exchange
- Facebook: The Dedham Exchange
Image Credit:
Jeanne Praught & Elsie Aubrey, Board Members of The Dedham Exchange
Rob Thompson’s painting of our red barn shop.
Assorted hand made gifts and Simon Pearce Glassware & Dedham Pottery.
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
