For Jack and Suzanne Healy, owners of Artisan Crafted on First Street in Langley, home decor and accessories are like an extension of one’s personality. In much the same way, the store is an extension of the couple’s online presence.
The store, which opened in September, is the first brick-and-mortar store under the umbrella of ArtisanCraftedHome.com, an e-commerce website founded by the Healys, who are also Langley residents. Artisan Crafted offers home decor and accessories handcrafted by small-scale artisans close to home and abroad, from Cook on Clay Flameware Pottery in Coupeville to Mexico and Europe.
Items range in price from $20 to $20,000, Jack Healy said. Anything that is expensive is worth the dough, he added.
“What we strive for is quality,” Jack Healy said. “For example, we sell a line of knives that are quite expensive, but it’ll be the last knife you own.”
The Healys said their business aims to attract a range of people, from boaters stationed at the Langley Marina to the “jet set” crowd who prefer to see the items in person rather than online.
Betty Freeman, visitor center coordinator at the Langley Chamber of Commerce, said Artisan Crafted’s home furnishing and handcrafted items can’t be found at any other “big box” stores.
“They’re a notch above that kind of chain store,” Freeman said. “They have some unique, one-of-a-kind items in there.”
Mayor Tim Callison felt Artisan Crafted is a positive addition that its products are both unique complimentary to the city.
“They’ve had a successful internet base for some period of time,” Callison said. “I’m pleased that they selected Langley to put their brick-and-mortar store in.”