'Round the World at Savage Mill

With its eclectic mix of unique shops set in a picturesque textile mill, Savage Mill is a natural stop for visitors to Howard County. Since opening in 1993, Savage Mill has found a niche as a "surprising discovery" that people love to show out-of-town visitors.

While the Mill has always been a blend of specialty shops and businesses, visitors can find a growing array of shops with an international flair. "The Mill has always been a place where customers come for unique or distinctive products," said Jay Winer, general partner. "Over the last few years, we've had an unusual number of merchants leasing space for shops that have authentic products and art from around the world."

Perhaps it is the global reach of the Internet that has enabled customers to "shop around the world," but customers are intrigued by furniture, fashions and products that reflect diverse cultures and countries. On any given day, the courtyard outside Bonaparte Breads resembles a café in Paris, as devotees of the area's only authentic French bakery can be found enjoying an espresso and croissant or baguette made in the wood-burning oven.

As customers wander through the complex of buildings named after the industrial tasks that once took place here, they will discover several new shops in the New Weave Building that display a global array of products. ApuPeru is a gift shop that features textiles, artwork, pottery and jewelry from artisans in Peru. The owner, Paul Sivert, is a counselor and shamanic practitioner who travels to Peru not only to study among the medicine people of Peru, but also to discover beautiful artwork and crafts to bring back for sale in the store. Sivert's goals as a broker between the native artists and the U.S. market are twofold: sales from the gift shop support his workshops and training sessions at the Shamanic Healing Institute and the shop also gives the Peruvian artists an outlet and wage for their work.

Likewise, Explorer's Den is a gift shop that was born of the desire to promote fair trade for native artisans around the world. Owners Paul and Betty Jones were lured out of retirement following a trip to Ecuador, where they discovered beautiful figures carved from vegetable ivory. They have expanded their shop to include beautiful handmade sculptures, glassware and artwork obtained through fair-wage brokers, representing countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and many other exotic locations.

Scandinavian visitors will feel at home at Memories of Finland, a gift shop that features fine imported glassware, textiles and even specialty food items. Owner Mauno Kylliainen purchased this landmark store in College Park and moved it to Savage Mill in 2003. "I felt that Savage Mill presented the right atmosphere for my customers, who are sophisticated about international merchandise," said Mauno. His shop recently hosted the "Nordic Games," a family day of entertainment at the nearby Savage Park, and an open house at the shop.

The International Antique Design Center, located in the Barn, is an enterprise that attracts high quality antique merchandise from all corners of the world. From magnificent French country furniture to rare collectibles from Eastern Europe, visitors often feel like they are browsing through a museum of fine collectibles. Displayed in room settings, customers can visualize a unique Louis XIV armoire or Art Deco table in their own homes. "We have many customers who are not antique collectors, but they just love the look of these pieces," said owner Julie Baker.

Right next door, visitors can browse through the showroom of Gaines McHale Antiques and Home. Owners Jean and Mike McHale are known throughout the region for their impressive collection of European antique furniture and accessories. Customers often come in to just browse, and find a creative impulse to decorate after chatting with salespeople or exploring the showroom.

"Savage Mill's historic setting provides a great backdrop for these businesses," said Winer. "The Mill is proud to provide visitors with an experience that is both enriching and unique to Howard County."