(12/14) A new shopping destination opened its doors December 11 for all one-of-a-kind gifting needs just in time for the holidays.

The Catoctin’s Closet welcomed its first customers as it sliced a ribbon officially opening its doors to the community on 12 Main Street.

Resident and owner Cynthia Payne’s cheery festive smile shone through an overcast December day as she, the community, and members of the Thurmont Town Office officially welcomed the store onto Main Street.

"Welcome to the business community, we’re glad to have you," Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird said.

Stirred by the cancellation of the community’s biggest craft festival, Colorfest and its blow to the livelihood of artists, Payne wanted a brick and mortar building to display and sell local crafts year-round.

The Catoctin’s Closet is a gift shop offering consignment and handmade craft items and offers artist rates for reselling items taking 30 percent of a sale price and 20 percent of handmade goods sales, according to Payne.

"If someone is investing time into it, we’re trying to make it helpful for them," she said.

"Our goal is to have crafters and handcrafted items you can’t find anywhere else," Payne said, who works in collaboration with her daughter Lisa Thoth.

The mom and daughter team have worked in tandem along with Town staff and members of the community to make the gift store vision a reality.

Formerly a property manager in town, the idea of the consignment store sprang from the notion that Payne wanted to be self-employed in order to take care of her 8-year-old granddaughter, Tiana after the loss of her daughter and the girl’s mother Jessica.

The store’s flexible hours, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. allow Payne to revolve around her granddaughter’s life.

Payne leased the building just as COVID-19 struck and the 100-year-old building underwent recent renovations. The pandemic gave Payne time to step back and reevaluate her priorities.

"I’ve never been one to sweat the small stuff, what will happen will happen," she said.

Payne eventually aims to make the gift store a cozy hub for the community to come together for craft activity circles.

As customers walked through the door for the first time, the smell of the holiday season greeted them and soon that scent will be inter-joined with artisanal candles, handmade soaps, and staunch community spirit.