Comfy seats and friendly faces. Take a peek inside this Swansea shop’s showcase
I met KWL Science owner and CEO Jan Wallace last summer when I was working on a story about an Edwardsville restaurant that had recently opened. She was already a regular customer there and participated in the interview with that restaurant’s owner.
I found Wallace to be very friendly and incredibly likable. At the time, she and I swapped business cards, and we haven’t had the opportunity to speak since.
Last week Wallace approached me at the Herald Square Farmers Market, where she was one of the vendors. She came to say hello and asked if I remembered her.
I did. I told her that I still have her card on my desk, which she looked skeptical about. However, it’s true. I’m a total business card hoarder.
Wallace let me know that her new(ish) shop in Swansea, Jan’s Naturals CBD Marketplace, would have a ribbon cutting and open house the following day, which I said I’d plan to attend.
And I did.
Jan’s Naturals opened in March at 208 Frank Scott Parkway East, #7, in Swansea. The shop is in Frank Scott Plaza, just east of Route 159, and sits between Uncle Fester’s and Twilight Comics.
Before I walked through the door, I didn’t know what to expect. Upon entering, I was greeted by a welcoming and spacious shop with a lot to offer, including a comfy seating area and friendly faces.
Wallace, who I don’t think has ever met a stranger, was on the scene, introducing people to each other and talking about their products.
Jan’s Naturals provides high-quality CBD and hemp products that include tinctures, balms, sprays and pet products.
Wallace’s business partners are her son, Evan Wallace, Ryan Hirschberg and Eldon Krause.
Wallace described their hemp-based product line as “from seed to sale” because they use hemp grown from seed on a local farm. They harvest the crops and then manufacture their products 100% naturally. No chemicals, no synthetics, no additives. And it’s cruelty-free.
They offer the best products possible and want people to have the best price for good health, according to Wallace.
If you don’t know a lot about CBD and its health benefits, or if you have questions, the staff at Jan’s Naturals can share their knowledge and help find products to suit your needs.
As for the other merch in the shop, most of it comes from other local sources.
Customers will find clothing, jewelry, plants, crystals, incense, soaps and more. They have Phathead BBQ Sauce and City Scoops Creamery ice cream too.
The plants come from Bloomers Badass Botanicals in Highland. Customers can purchase other products made by local artisans and artists like JX4 Soaps, Water Sweets Soap Company, LLZ Soaping Company, Pary Flynn and many others.
Learn about crystals and their properties from Dani Soper (Evan Wallace’s significant other). She’s knowledgeable about crystals and has plans to start her own business focusing on crystals and Tarot.
I was talking crystals with Soper when we realized we missed the ribbon-cutting portion of the open house.
Outside the shop, Wallace welcomed everyone and told them to each take a sample, a bottle of whatever they wanted from the shop. She also provided lunch, which was made by Slabs on the Curb and featured Phathead BBQ Sauce.
Second Jan’s location is planned
In addition to operating the Swansea shop, Wallace is preparing to open a second Jan’s Naturals location.
The new store is located at 27 Executive Plaza Court in Maryville. It is scheduled to open in early July.
The Maryville space is nearing the end of a renovation and will eventually include a kitchen area for a coffee bar, featuring fresh roasted coffee from Kazoo Coffee & Cocoa Roasting Company and pastries from Creations by Kiki.
The space used to house Kraft’n Korner, which held craft and art classes for all age groups and rented out space for crafting parties and other private events.
Trish Dixon moved Kraft’n Korner to Highland Emporium, according to Wallace. Highland Emporium opens Tuesday, July 5, at 917 Main St. in Highland. (More on that coming soon.)
Familiar faces from Kraft’n Korner — Tabb Jahns (LLZ Soaping Company), Arlene Miller (The Vintage Paintbrush) and Carrie Cotter (Chalk Couture) — will remain at Jan’s Naturals - Maryville as working artists, said Wallace.
Jan’s Naturals will also be present at the Highland Emporium. Wallace said that they are working with the new Highland Square business as a consultant and supplier of CBD products.
Jan’s Naturals in Swansea is located at 208 Frank Scott Parkway East, #7.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. They are closed Sunday-Monday.
For more information about Jan’s Naturals, visit facebook.com/jansnaturals.
