Rowan Homespun is a rustic market corner store selling a collection of handmade goods in the Beaches . The store is owned by Dominique Del Col who describes herself as a country kid from Niagara, who lives off items made by local artisans.

Del Col grew up on the family farm in Niagara, and always felt comfortable with the farm life. After moving to Toronto seven years ago, she wanted to bring her knowledge and passion for holistic living, agriculture and traditional herbalism to a community neighbourhood.

While working full time as an events coordinator she actively participated in many of the city's farmers markets and craft shows, and began selling her handcrafted skincare products at different markets and found people were very receptive to her products.

The inspiration for Rowan Homespun was to combine the comforts of general store products with herbal apothecaries. Rowan is Del Col's answer to finding a beautiful balance between the two places she calls home; Niagara and Toronto.

The spacious store has the affect of feeling like a modern country store with a noticeable ambrosial scent, where you can find all your vintage home and skincare needs in all-natural and holistic setting.

The entire line of skincare, wellness products and tinctures are handcrafted in-house and everything is made in small batches to ensure high quality. The products are free of preservatives, synthetic fragrance and parabens. The Kombucha (a fermented tea) is brewed on site with organic tea leaves and has already been a huge hit with customers.

Del Col describes her store as a curated artisan store with farmers market quality items . She works with local artisans like Toronto-based Alchemy Pickle company which makes beet kvass and pickled pear drinks ($7) which I can attest to being slightly unusual tasting at first, but the health benefits are fantastic.

You can also pick up raw honey, kefir water and artisan preserves to add to your health basket.

Del Col infuses traditional and Ayurveda remedies to create Wildwood, her line of skincare, which uses herbs and flowers like calendula and roses grown in the Niagara region. The items range from $10-20 and include soap, oils and a dry shampoo.

Soon the market will have herbal digestive tinctures and healing bath salts made with Dead Sea salts for a detoxifying soak. Starting in June, Del Col will host workshops for soap making, Kombucha brewing and other vintage inspired events to come.

Photos by Hector Vasquez