The Creative Wedge Information

The Creative Wedge: An Artisan Market is an eclectic gem in Hilltop West. Our mission is to create a local specialty retail store whose aim is to promote awareness of American artisanal food and craft; a store that offers great service and selection of unique hand crafted gifts, artisan cheese, charcuterie, local wine and craft beer in a customer friendly environment. The dynamic duo behind The Wedge is Barbara Densley and myself, Sloane Solanto. Barbara, originally from the Chicago suburbs, has lived in Virginia Beach for over 20 years and has worked primarily in banking and retail. Barbara worked for Kathy Axelrod at Simply Selma's from 2004-2009 as the store manager and a buyer. I am a Virginia Beach native who spent many years in food service working under Lynn Spry at The Fresh Market and Deli and then at The Fresh Fare Cafe. For the last 12 years I have worked at Cavalier Sportswear, my father's screen printing and embroidery business. Both of us were ready for a big change in our lives and have teamed up to create the The Creative Wedge: An Artisan Market...a dream come true! Our most frequently asked question is...What is your concept? Our concept is to provide Tidewater residents and tourists alike with a place to shop for American made art, handcrafts and regional, artisanal foods. We strive to carry as much local art as we can but yet still reach out across the country in search of unique hand made items. The same applies with our food items. The artisanal cheese was the original idea and then it blossomed into other gourmet goods. At The Creative Wedge we seek out small batch craft food producers and are especially fond of Virginia's Finest products. Barbara and I view food as gift, as well, and are happy to put together baskets combining items through out the store. For example, a hand thrown ceramic mug glazed in bright colors from Lynchburg, VA, a bag of roasted coffee beans from Pungo, honey from Suffolk, whimsical tea towels printed with original artwork from Portsmouth, cookies from Falls ...