A Look at Local Business

Posted On July 18, 2012

Bodin’s Native Crafts & Supplies

Bodin’s Native Crafts at Tobique First Nation is another one of our small businesses that offers a variety of goods and services to the community….a sort of good old fashioned general store kind of place.
The store is a family business with Connie Nicholas at the helm. It was begun 25 years ago when Connie’s father Pete Nicholas began a small convenience store in the front part of the family home.
When that building was lost to a fire, Pete built a new free standing building and expanded the business, adding a pool hall.
Connie took over the business in 1997, and in 1998 was named a Royal Bank Success Story of the year.
It’s still a family business, with Connie’s sister Anne as her partner in the Crafts Department, and her daughters Jeanette and Rose Bear as general business partners.

I asked about the name Bodin’s. It’s a nickname bestowed upon her by her dad Pete back when she was a kid. She was a fan of “The Beverly Hillbillies” , (remember Jethro Bodine?) and always got a kick out of the image of Granny rocking in that old rocker of hers on the back of the decrepit truck the family drove into Beverly Hills…
Connie also shared with me her daughters’ Native names. Jeanette’s name is Wip-Hun, which means “Feather” in Maliseet. Rose Bear’s name is Nee-Bun, which is “Summer”, reflecting the season in which she was born, and a third daughter, who is a Dental Therapist at Big Cove, is Siquin, which means “Spring.”
Bodin’s is still a convenience store, with home made subs and snack foods, but it is also where Connie and Anne create some truly beautiful custom bead and leather crafts.
Each year, the sisters make the lovely Crown and Sash set for the Little Miss Tobique Pageant.
Connie has led Crafts Workshops all over the province, and in addition to private classes still teaches crafts at the Mah Sos School.
Bodin’s is a community hub, offering crafts classes in the front and a small tavern in the back…a centre where you can meet, learn and shop!
The building is being expanded to make a bigger workshop so that Connie can offer expanded classes in beadwork and leather crafts.

The store also hosts a dart tournament two nights a week, another example of small business diversification!
Bodin’s sells supplies to crafters as well, and can order many specialty items for your crafts and hobbies.
The store is located at 275 Main Street in Tobique First Nation. If you have never visited before, to get there go over the dam and take a left when you come to the Gas Bar. Drive past the Casino and follow the main road past the Health Centre and Mah Sos School. Bodin’s will be on your left a bit beyond the school.
Christmas will be upon us in less than 80 days! This year, why not only shop local abut also give a unique hand crafted gift made by a local artisan instead of some mass produced factory made whatnot..
There is still time to custom order a lovely item of beaded jewelry…let your imagination take flight!
Call 273-4066 for more details