When Erika Hansen opened the door to Soul of the Shore on Nov. 5, her dream of opening a shop of her own came true.

Soul of the Shore is a gift shop and gallery at Harbour Quay, featuring handmade crafts and spa products.

“I still can’t believe it’s real,” said Hansen.

Hansen grew up in Creston, B.C. where her family had a restaurant. She started out in the service industry, studied at university to become an English teacher, and after two years decided teaching wasn’t for her.

“This has been a lifelong journey for me,” said Hansen, who includes mixologist and entrepreneur to her background.

Hansen revived her mother’s company, Cold Mountain Spa in 2016, using a pain reliever her mother created and then adding her own blends into the mix. She now offers a whole spa line of products. “Everything I learned about coffee and tea and alcohol over the year applies to essential oils,” she said. Everything has a top, heart (middle) and base note. “The main difference is you’re dealing with scent instead of taste.

“This is where I found my niche.”

The coronavirus pandemic forced her to move indoors from farmers’ and craft markets to an online community. When the spot at Harbour Quay opened up, she made the leap to a brick and mortar storefront.

“I’ve wanted to have a shop for three years now,” she said. She moved to Port Alberni in July. She likes the walkability the Harbour Quay locations offers.

Many of the makers whose work is at…