Sharon Real Estate extends its heartfelt recognition to Heidi Griebel, owner of Sunnyside Shop for her unwavering dedication, as part of this week’s Thankful Thursday spotlight. Twenty years ago, after settling back on the Mid-Shore, Heidi began plotting a new chapter for herself. Having landed in Cambridge just as The Hyatt was opening here, she decided to become a small business owner. Her dream was to open a boutique in an historic downtown setting. The aim was to only sell items she really loved, the kinds of things she found in her favorite shops during her own global travels.
From the beginning, Heidi kept her focus on fair trade, eco-friendly, and American-made products. As the twentieth anniversary of Sunnyside approaches, she continues her steadfast pursuit of featuring these types of goods. Heidi often refers to them as, “goods that give back.”
Heidi’s formative years were spent in Annapolis and then St. Michaels, always on The Bay. Her academic journey included two years in the West Indies, and culminated in a degree from the University of Maryland. Within a week of graduating, she embarked on a cross-country drive to San Diego, where she lived and explored both north and south of the border for a year, and did as much windsurfing as possible. This was followed by an interesting year in Japan, teaching English, and then an adventurous move to Australia for a couple of years.
Eventually, Heidi came back to Maryland for a visit with family and unintentionally ended up living in Baltimore. During her years in Charm City, Heidi worked in advertising at W.B. Doner, and then did marketing and advertising for an economic development organization, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.
Eventually, The Shore beckoned her back. On a rainy fall day, while contemplating her next locale, she stumbled upon the Historic West End section of Cambridge, which reminded her of Annapolis’s Eastport neighborhood. She soon purchased a Victorian house, one block from the Choptank and began plotting Sunnyside.
Reflecting on her journey as a small business owner, Heidi states, “Folks considering making the leap should know just how challenging small business ownership can be. It requires absolute determination to succeed.”
Heidi found some assistance through the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) and their revolving loan fund program. Mike Thielke of ESEC remarked, “She is a true success story, and we are immensely proud to have helped support her in her growth.” He further added, “She understands her niche, knows her customers, and is an exceptional buyer.”
Sunnyside enjoys a loyal and ever-expanding following. One loyal customer makes a seasonal trip to purchase apparel unavailable in her home city of New York. Additionally, the shop has a dedicated following from all over the Eastern Shore. The American Cruise Lines ships, Hyatt visitors, Harriet Tubman sites, vacation rentals, and second-home owners have all added to her business base in recent years. And, of course, Sunnyside has an invaluable patronage from the local community in Cambridge.
Sharon Real Estate expresses profound gratitude for Heidi and Sunnyside, a vibrant fixture at the corner of Poplar and Gay streets, known for their ever-changing window displays. Despite having no prior retail experience, Heidi’s dedication and persistence have allowed her to flourish as a retail institution in Downtown Cambridge. Thank you, Heidi, for your determination, and congratulations on your well-deserved success.