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Giroux Woodworking has been a local meeting ground to create magical moments — striving to provide customers with a whimsical and fun experience in a cozy setting that is a safe and welcoming to all.
Owner Erica Giroux has been involved in the arts all her life. When Giroux and her husband Mike opened the business, she wanted it to be a place where anyone can come in and do art — where there’s no rules on how to do it.
Giroux said, “It was important for me to make sure I opened a space where everyone is welcomed, and everyone can be accommodated no matter what their learning style is.”
Giroux Woodworking is a handmade craft studio with a bit of a spooky twist, housing everything from wood decor to snarky shirts, craft kits and everything in between. They have 20 local artisans selling whimsical and off the beaten path wares in one room, and host unique interactive workshops in their other room.
Giroux Woodworking has been around for 12 years. Formerly known as the Playful Peacock LLC, the name changed to Giroux Woodworking in 2016. Last September, a space at 35 South Main St. in East Windsor was purchased and is the current home of Giroux Woodworking.
“From doing all of the craft fairs for years, we’ve met so many awesome local artisans and vendors that we invited a lot of friends to join us as well,” Giroux said. “One half of the store is all of their items as well as ours and then the other half is a crafting room where we do crafting classes.”
She continued, “Customers can not only buy art and interact with local art; they can also learn the process and take classes. We realized that people really loved coming in and interacting with the artisans, doing the classes and making friends.”
Tina Salvatore from Windsor Locks thinks the store is super fun and always gets such a great feeling when she walks in. “I’ve taken many classes there with Erica and she goes above and beyond to help you and make you feel comfortable and make you feel safe,” Salvatore shared. “She and Mike have great people skills and great customer service.”
Somers resident Doreen DiTommaso heard about Giroux Woodworking from her daughter, and together, they have taken some classes. DiTommaso also has a hobby of sewing and has some of her items in the shop.
“The place always looks amazing and I feel welcomed when I stop by,” DiTommaso said. “Erica and her husband are amazing people, always caring for others and wanting to do the best for everyone.”
She went on to say, “Giroux brings lots of talented crafters, educating people with their different types of crafts that keeps parents and children connected. They offer crafts with children and ‘A Night Out’ for adults without the children. I love doing this kind of stuff with my daughter and grandson and I am very thankful there is one so close to us.”
Erin Middleton from Ludlow loves the shop. It reminds her of something that you might see in a movie. Middleton remembers the first time she went in and thought the store was inviting and magical.
“There is something for everyone,” said Middleton. “There are so many great pieces from local artists, and I love that the store is constantly changing. I love finding all the little treasures that Erica has in the store. She is very passionate about supporting small businesses and about her community.”
This fall, Giroux Woodworking is connecting with a few local businesses to try to help each other by hosting events featuring each business. “Owning a small business right now is so tough,” said Giroux. “We’ve been looking for ways to get the word out about some of our upcoming events and the businesses and artists we are working with.”
She continued, “I believe that keeping art and magic alive is so important for not only children but adults as well. It’s therapeutic in a really tough time for a lot of people. We are a safe space for everyone to interact with art and create among friends in a judgement free zone.”
On Oct. 17, Giroux Woodworking is hosting a Haunted Makers Market for their one-year anniversary in Roberto’s Real American Tavern, which is said to be one of the most haunted restaurants in Connecticut. The two businesses share a parking lot and thought it would be a blast to host something wild that could support both of their businesses, along with numerous makers who willset up in both locations for spooky shopping. There will be themed food and drinks.
Giroux Woodworking will also have multiple interactive workshops running for children as part of their witch crafts series including a Potions Class, wand making with wands from OrchardWorks in Stafford, and a Care of Magical Creatures class where children can adopt stuffed animal familairs and compete in animal trivia. Each student goes home with a magical adoption certificate and a handmade name tag for their creature.
“I just want to be here for a really long time, so that people can continue to interact with art, learn about art and I can continue to promote local artisans,” Giroux said. “We have a vibrant handmade community and if we work together, we can not only survive together but thrive as a community of small businesses.”
GIROUX WOODWORKING’S CURRENT HOURS ARE THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 12:30-5:30 P.M., BUT WILL BE ADDING MORE HOURS DURING THE BUSIER HOLIDAY SEASON.
ALL GIROUX WOODWORKING’S TICKETING FOR CLASSES GOES THROUGH ITS WEBSITE AT GIROUXWOODWORKING.COM. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO GO TO THE SHOP AND SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH GIROUX, AND SHE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH TICKETING