About Us
The Inspiration Behind Marmalade:
Marmalade is more than just a name; it's a celebration of the dynamic, multifaceted women who make up our community—our suppliers, customers, friends, staff, and owners. Just like the perfect blend of tart fruits, sugar, and spices creates a unique and delicious marmalade, we believe that women are a harmonious mix of brilliance, boldness, and beauty. Whether you’re a mechanical engineer who adores cute earrings or a rugged adventurer with a love for flower-filled rooms, you embody all the flavors of life. Marmalade is a tribute to this diversity and the wonderful blend of skills, interests, and abilities that make each woman deliciously dynamic.
How Marmalade came to be:
On January 7th, 2024, long-time friends Shannon-May Pringle and Shelley Perry met for a New Year's brunch to catch up and toast to the year ahead. As they chatted over coffee and crepes, Shannon-May shared her dream of opening a home and gift boutique in St. Andrews - a vision she’d been nurturing since launching an online version of Marmalade in 2020. Over the holidays, this dream had crystallized into something more concrete, and she felt that this was the year to make it happen.
As Shelley listened, she couldn’t help but get excited and started offering ideas. Their ideas were so in sync that they quickly found themselves brainstorming together, their excitement building with each new thought. By the time they hugged goodbye, they were already wondering if this was a dream they should pursue together. Two days later, Shelley sent Shannon-May a simple text: "I’m in."
From that moment, they were off and running. They took it one step at a time, learning as they went, asking for help when needed, and marveling at how the stars seemed to align with every decision. This isn’t an exaggeration—it took countless hours of hard work, late nights, and many, many Zoom meetings. But it felt like the universe was paving the way, too. And on May 4th, Marmalade Boutique officially opened its doors for the first time, a dream finally realized.
Who are we?
We’re Shelley and Shannon-May, two friends who met nearly 20 years ago when Shannon-May moved to New Brunswick for university. Over the years, we’ve bonded over countless chicken, wine, and cheese dinners, Sex and the City marathons, some unforgettable (and some best forgotten) online dating adventures, shopping sprees in St. Andrews, and countless shared, meaningful moments. In 2024, we decided to take our friendship to the next level and start a business together!
Shannon-May is the creative soul behind Marmalade, drawing on her experience running successful businesses like Shannon-May Photography and New Brunswick Elopements. With an artist’s eye and a deep love for customer service, she ensures our shop is always warm, welcoming, and visually enchanting. Shannon-May is also our “Chief Curator of Delight”—always dreaming up ways to pair the treasures in our store into one spectacular and delightful gift! An active member of the St. Andrews business community and a fierce advocate for female entrepreneurs, Shannon-May is the heart of our day-to-day operations. You’ll often find her in the store, greeting customers with a smile and sharing her passion for St. Andrews. She lives in town with her husband, Scott, and their three beloved fur-babies, Alice, Lucy, and Olive.
Shelley, on the other hand, brings over 15 years of experience in higher education, specializing in leadership, people management, and organizational behavior. She’s the administrative backbone of Marmalade, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Shelley is also our “Chief Libations Officer,” meticulously researching and selecting the best cocktail (and mocktail) products to help you create your own merry memories. She’s passionate about New Brunswick tourism, newcomer experiences, and women in leadership—and loves a good craft beer! You’ll often see her in the shop during special events and many weekends, making sure everything is in tip-top shape. She lives in Fredericton with her husband, Doug, and their pampered pooch, Gus the Great.
Marmalade is the beautiful result of our shared vision, complementary strengths, and nearly two decades of friendship. It’s a place where creativity meets community, and where every item is carefully selected with love and intention. We’re so proud of what we’ve created together and thrilled to share it with you. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, we hope you’ll find something special at Marmalade that brings a little extra joy into your life.
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