For several years, Tonia Scheerer has been selling her handcrafted skin and bath care products on Facebook. “Then, I started doing the farmers markets, and then, it kind of got really big, really fast, and I needed my own space.”
The space Scheerer found is on the banks of the Schroon River at 2 Elm Street in Warrensburg, New York. The circa-1840 building, which a century ago housed a bakery, has been home to Riverside Gallery, a frame shop since the 70s. Scheerer’s shop fits neatly on the river side of the building, sharing its front porch with the gallery.
Cover Your Sass Boutique had a soft opening in April, and on Saturday, July 15, Scheerer held a Grand Opening celebration. Shoppers were offered discounts throughout the shop and walked away with swag bags filled with discount coupons from local businesses, informational brochures and a sample of Scheerer’s goat milk soap.
Scheerer’s associate, Barbara DeBates, set up a make-your-own lip balm station with a crock-pot of melted cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil. Visitors could select from an assortment of natural pigments and flavorings to create a personalized lip balm.
“My husband is local here,” Scheerer says, “and we bought his parent’s house almost four years ago. I’ve been doing the Beautification (Warrensburg Beautification, Inc.) and farmers market stuff, working with Teresa (Whalen, Warrensburgh Riverfront Farmers Market Manager ) trying to keep things locally made, locally owned for our small, cute little town.”
In addition to her goat milk soaps and rich body lotions, Scheerer makes candles and wax melts, sage sticks, herbal teas, pendulums and witch balls (Scheerer is Wiccan.) She sources her honey from Nettle Meadow Farm in Thurman and lavender from Lavenlair Farms in Whitehall. She also carries crystals and salt lamp.
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Cover Your Sass is the exclusive distributor of AMBI bralettes, which are made of braided lace and are designed to adapt to the individual wearer’s shape. “They are made in Thurman,” Scheerer explains. “It’s a woman-owned business. The lady refurbished lace-making machines, and she makes these eucalyptus bras, and she’s a fully sustainable, waste-free business.”
Scheerer was once a LuLaRoe distributor, and she has racks of her remaining stock for sale discounted at 50 percent. This fall, she plans to replenish her apparel offerings with her own line of clothing.
Cover Your Sass Boutique is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, year-round.
Featured photo: Tonia Scheerer stands next to a display of her handcrafted goat milk soap.
Photos: Cover Your Sass Boutique offers an eclectic mix of artisan goods.
