Retail Ready - September 2025

"Retail Ready" is a pop-up-shop initiative managed by Ballymena Business Centre in partnership with The Gallaher Trust.  This initiative is designed specifically for local Ballymena start up and early stage entrepreneurs to experience town centre test trading.  Participants benefit from in store sales, visual merchandising and promotional opportunities for a period of 2 months. 

The Programme has supported several local start ups the past few years, including artists and crafters who have gone on to take a full time place as Midtown Makers Members. As the Programme comes to an end in December, we have just taken our last cohort of Retail Ready participants. Call in this September and October to see their work and take home something different with the knowledge you are supporting Ballymena small businesses.

headshot of Jessica Purdy

Sea glass necklace on silver chain displayed on black neck stand

Jessica Purdy – Purdy Sea Glass:

"From a single stroll along the shores of Cushendall, destiny revealed itself in the glimmer of a tiny, wave-worn treasure. That first piece of sea glass, smoothed and shaped by the ocean’s hand, sparked a passion that quickly became an irresistible addiction.

What began as a quiet pastime of collecting soon transformed into a journey of creativity. I realised these fragments of the sea’s story were too beautiful to remain hidden away. Necklaces became the perfect canvas—a way to showcase the natural brilliance of the glass, capturing its colours and contours without ever altering its essence.

I never cut, polish, or reshape these pieces. Their beauty lies in their authenticity. The only touch I add is the faintest whisper of coconut oil, coaxing out a gentle shine, while leaving every edge, curve, and hue exactly as the tides intended. Every necklace is not just jewellery—it is a fragment of the sea itself, carrying the memory of waves, winds, and shores where it was found."

Find Jessica: @purdyseaglass https://www.instagram.com/purdyseaglass/ and on TikTok purdy.sea.glass

Granny Shaw's confections on display in Midtown Makers

Fudge factory worker with tray of Granny Shaws fudge

Glen Houston's Granny Shaws Confections:

"Granny Shaw’s Confections are award winning makers of traditional and nostalgic confections. All our confections are still made using old Victorian recipes, natural ingredients and traditional techniques. Fudges, Carmels, Nut Brittle and toffees are made daily at our little factory at Raceview Mill on the outskirts of Broughshane.

Our fudges are made using only the freshest ingredients and Irish butters. The freshness of our fudge is what is key in delivering the ultimate taste sensation."

Alison Kelly drawing a dog

Alison Kelly's drawing of a brown and white dog

Alison Kelly drawing a dog

Alison Kelly Art :

For Alison Kelly, art has always been a quiet passion waiting for its moment to shine. Though she was interested in drawing from an early age, the busyness of working life and family responsibilities left little room to explore her creativity in depth.

Then, in January 2024, inspiration struck in an unexpected way. While browsing Instagram, Alison came across a coloured pencil drawing of a dog. That single image became her “light bulb moment.” Fascinated by the realism and depth that could be achieved with pencils, she decided to give it a try. She invested in a set of Polychromos colour pencils and began practicing—first with family pets, then for friends, and soon for friends of friends.

Word spread quickly. Since then, Alison has completed more than 20 commissions. Each portrait, lovingly crafted, takes between 18 to 24 hours to complete—usually spread over a week to ten days. Her focus is realism: capturing not only the likeness of an animal but also the personality that makes them so beloved.

“I discovered realistic colour pencil drawing in an Instagram post in 2024 which blew my mind, so I decided to have a go,” Alison reflects.

“The pets I’ve drawn so far seem to have been loved, and I hope others do too.”

Print of a boat on water by Andrea and Jane Kyle

Mother and daughter Andrea and Jane Kyle working at the computer together

print of a church and river by Andrea and Jane Kyle

Northern Light - Andrea and Jane Kyle

Northern Light was launched in 2020 by Andrea and Jane Kyle as a mother and daughter collaboration producing art work in the form of inspirational cards and digital designs in the style of 1930s travel poster. The local landscape and architecture of County Antrim is celebrated in the art work.

Mary Forsythe's illustrated book the little black cow

Mary Forsythe – Children’s Book Author

Hi I'm Mary Forsythe, what inspired me to write a children's book is that we have a farm with Dexter and Irish Moiled cattle which are both native to Ireland.

Two of the cattle - Jennifer and Dougal both came from England, Jennifer was such a caricature, I started to write down things that would have happened during the day. I thought they were such good characters that I decided to write a children's book

And here it is: Jennifer Dexter -The little black cow.

Sílvia Pinheiro Pontes –Usborne Books

My name is Sílvia and I’m proud to partner with Usborne Books, offering a wide range of engaging, high-quality books for children of all ages. From interactive baby books to captivating fiction, I help spark a love for reading while supporting literacy in my community through book fairs and school events.