Create A Can gift shop reopens today in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG — A novelty shop co-owner said Wednesday that a State Street location is sure to mean better visibility for her fledgling business.

“I think traffic flow and parking will be better,” said Donna J. Royce of Create A Can, which will reopen at 10 a.m. today at 637 State St., the site of the former Stewart’s Shop.

The shop features customized gift baskets using empty paint cans decorated for any occasion.

Mrs. Royce said Create A Can, which opened in November at 205 Ford St., in what she called a “nook in the old Ogdensburg mall,” also offers edible bouquets and “cakes” made of candy and cookies, as well as stuffed animal crafts.

The move to State Street puts the shop on “a busier street, a busier location with more visibility,” Mrs. Royce said. “Little Caesars is moving in next door.”

Watertown businessman Richard N. Jacobsen will lease the adjoining 1,500 square feet of the 2,750-square-foot property from Morristown contractor Bernard Bertrand, who purchased the parcel from Stewart’s Shops in 2009. Mr. Jacobsen plans to open a Little Caesars pizzeria in May.

“That should be awesome for us,” Mrs. Royce said.

Her shop also sells “diaper cakes” adorned with blankets, burp cloths and pacifiers for newborn babies, and a “Daddy Duty” paint can, which is a starter kit for teaching new dads how to change diapers.

Specialty cans range from $5 to $45. The shop can personalize paint cans, candy bars and water bottles for virtually any occasion. It also makes custom business cards with logos.

“We’re also trying to turn our shop into more of a one-stop,” Mrs. Royce said. “We’re offering a lot of local products from local people.” Among them are maple syrup; coffee products from St. Lawrence Valley Roasters, Lisbon; confections from St. Lawrence Chocolates, Potsdam; and jams and jellies from the North Country Store in Philadelphia.

“And we’re expanding. We’re now doing children’s parties — birthdays, stuffable animals and Create-A-Can parties. We have plenty of activities lined up to do,” Mrs. Royce said.

Along with her daughter, co-owner Megan D., Mrs. Royce plans an ambitious schedule, at least temporarily. Valentine’s Day specials will be available all weekend, she said.

“We’ll be open 10 to 8, seven days a week. We’ll see how it goes,” Mrs. Royce said.