Posted by Ali Evans | May 28, 2022 | Sponsored, Town Square

Welcome to the Small Surprise Spotlight, presented by Alamance County Visitors Bureau. We’re uncovering hidden gems in Alamance County that might be closer than you think!

This month’s feature is Freehand Market in the Historic Rivermill Village of Saxapahaw. Freehand Market is a woman-owned sustainable boutique with unique gifts and treasures. We recently caught up with Heather Seaman to learn more.

1. Tell us how Freehand Market came to be.

This is something we get asked a lot, and there’s not a big origin story. I was walking down the sidewalk in Saxapahaw one day in January 2019 and saw the space available for lease. I thought “someone should start a little shop or art gallery there” and I couldn’t get the idea out of my head! It was certainly the right place at the right time, and the rest is history!

2. Why is Alamance County, specifically Saxapahaw, the right place for you all?

Saxapahaw is such a wonderful community. Because of our location in southern Alamance county and our rich history, we have an eclectic mix of people and ideas. All of the businesses in Saxapahaw are small, independent businesses and it feels like a true village where people know your name and care how you are doing. It’s so special to be a part of that!

3. What do you think is the most unique thing about Freehand Market? What makes you different?

Our Bulk Bar is definitely the most unique thing about Freehand! We offer a range of natural home and body care products in bulk, which allows folks to bring their own containers to fill up, saving money and reducing waste. We carry products almost exclusively from woman owned businesses, including on the Bulk Bar, so it makes a huge positive impact in the community.

4. If someone was taking a day trip to Alamance County, other than visiting you at Freehand Market, what would you recommend they do?

This is a great question! There is so much to do in Saxapahaw, it’s a whole day trip in itself. I would start with breakfast at the Saxapahaw General Store, then a walk down by the river. Next would be shopping here at Freehand Market and our next door neighbor, River Mill Cycles. Then, lunch at the Eddy Pub is always a great bet. And my favorite afternoon activity is renting a kayak from Haw River Canoe & Kayak – they’ll help you get on the river just up the road at the Saxapahaw Lake. Finally, you can end with an evening beverage at Haw River Farmhouse Ales and a musical event at the Haw River Ballroom or a few hours at Saturdays in Saxapahaw in the summertime!

5. What’s something about Alamance County that most people don’t know?

A lot of the river mills in Alamance County were working mills in the past. The river mill in Saxapahaw that houses Freehand Market was a working cotton mill for most of the 1900s. Another thing that’s not often mentioned are some of the smaller native American tribes that were the original inhabitants of Alamance County. Saxapahaw was inhabited by a tribe known as the Sissipahaw before it was colonized.

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6. What is your favorite thing about owning your business?

I love connecting with our community more than anything else. We offer all sorts of sustainable everyday goods, as well as a rotating selection of handmade and local gifts. That means we have many regular customers who come in for refills on the Bulk Bar or to pick up a last minute gift for a friend, and we get to chat about life and the village. That in-person connection has been lost in many ways, but it is at the heart of what it means to be human. I’ve met thousands of people through Freehand Market and I cherish the opportunity to become friends with the folks who keep coming back.

7. How do you hope to see Freehand Market grow?

We have lots of plans! We recently started booking in person events and craft classes again, and hope to expand those offerings through the rest of this year. I am also really excited to expand the Bulk Bar with more products available for refills soon. And we are launching a concierge gifting program for other small businesses (real estate agents, wedding planners, etc) who are looking for gift boxes handmade in NC for their clients! Mostly, we hope to continue to be able to serve our community for years to come.

For more on Freehand Market, visit their website or give them a follow on Instagram. Saxapahaw is packed full of unique places – from live music and gourmet food, to sustainable shopping and beautiful hiking trails, Saxapahaw has it all.

The Small Surprise Spotlight is made possible by Alamance Counties Visitors Bureau. The towns and villages of Alamance County are full of small surprises – amazing restaurants, beautiful green spaces, unique art, and much more. Which hidden gem will you uncover first?

Hear May’s Small Surprise Spotlight feature below:

The Small Surprise Spotlight is made possible by Alamance Counties Visitors Bureau. The towns and villages of Alamance County are full of small surprises – amazing restaurants, beautiful green spaces, unique art, and much more. Which hidden gem will you uncover first?

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