Midtown Makers Gift Shop - BLOG

Ballymena Business Centre, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ballymena, has officially launched a new Rotary Rest Space in Midtown Makers Gift Shop located on Church Street, Ballymena. This unique community initiative has been undertaken in celebration of Ballymena400. Guests were welcomed to the opening event by Debbie Chestnutt, Ballymena Rotary President, and Melanie Christie Boyle, Chief Executive of Ballymena Business Centre. The newly launched Rotary Rest Space

Located in the heart of Ballymena Town Centre on Church Street, the Rankin Room is part of the Ballymena Business Centre family. It is situated in the Business Hub, above Midtown Makers Gift Shop, and provides a prime location for businesses looking for a flexible meeting space. 

The year 2025 was exceptional for Midtown Makers Gift Shop. We hosted a range of creative workshops, supported emerging and small local businesses, and revamped both the shop and our website. Additionally, we became the Visitor Information Hub for Ballymena. It was an eventful year, and we want to express our gratitude to all our members, customers, and supporters for keeping Midtown Makers a lively and creative spot in Ballymena.

A Region Steeped in Shadows: From racehorses cursed by holy relics to demonic pacts and ghostly coachmen, the Ballymena area is rich in tales perfect for Halloween. Whether you’re walking the Dark Hedges at dusk or passing Dundermot Mound under a full moon, you might just feel the chill of a story still being told. So light a candle, leave a little milk by the door—and if someone asks about the bridge at Glarryford…Don’t answer.

The new Tourist Information Hub is designed to enhance access to up-to-date details on local events, attractions, and activities. It features an interactive iPad for digital information access, detailed maps of the area, and striking imagery of the region’s impressive scenery. Knowledgeable staff from Midtown Makers Gift Shop are also on hand to offer friendly guidance and local insights.

Ballymena Business Centre, in partnership with The Gallaher Trust and with the support of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Invest NI, hosted a dynamic business clinic for the creative sector this week in Midtown Makers Gift Shop. The event drew a strong turnout from local artists, makers, and innovators eager to explore the range of support available to help start, grow and sustain their creative business.

Ballymena Photographer, Nicole first started her Midtown Makers journey a year ago when she nervously came into the shop asking for help selling her photography. She signed up for the Retail Ready Programme, which gave her 2 months free test trading and vital advice from Ballymena Business Centre. With a lot of hard work and expert printing from Ryan at Woodside Photographic, Nicole displayed her pictures in the window of Midtown Makers and made her first sale in a retail env

Interview with Midtown Makers Member Linda Wray.

This month we talk to Catriona McCarte of Crafty Treasures. Catriona shares her crafting day and what goes on behind the scenes of faux flower wreath making.

Ten years ago, the idea emerged to open a shop in Ballymena to accommodate growing art and crafts businesses.