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North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation Funds New Artisanal Gift Shop

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$40,000 in financing approved for Handcrafted Artisanal Marketplace, bringing unique local shopping experience to Airport Road in Fitchburg

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, recently approved $40,000 in start-up financing for Handcrafted Artisanal Marketplace, a new specialty gift shop at 68 Airport Road in Fitchburg. The funding supports the latest addition to the region’s growing creative economy.

Known as the H.A.M. Gift Shop, the store features handcrafted products from local artisans, hosts monthly workshops, and provides special events that showcase regional talent. The business offers both direct sales and consignment opportunities for area craftspeople.

“My hope is for the gift shop to provide our region with a central hub for artisans while supporting personal and community causes,” said founder Katelyn Murphy. “Since we opened, we have received such a warm welcome from the community and our guests really enjoy meeting our mascot, Ham, too!”

The shop’s unique name stems from Murphy’s Quaker Parrot, Ham, her companion since 2020. “Ham has helped me through college, milestones, and hardships,” she added. “I named The H.A.M. Gift Shop after him to combine two of my passions, creativity and birds.”

Murphy developed her business plan in collaboration with NewVue Communities before securing financing through the NCMDC. To learn more about the gift shop, please visit https://thehamgiftshop.com/.

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.

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