Belfast - Young and the Restless star Genie Francis calls Beverly Hills home, but she has a special place in her heart for Mainers.

" They are the salt of the Earth, the best people going," said Francis.

She owns the shop The Cherished Home and says the past few years have been tough.

" When the economy crashed we felt it in a big was as did everyone else. I was considering closing, I'm not making any money here. I am only trying to keep people employed who are local Mainers," said Francis.

She's welcoming new designers to her store, including Maine Cloth Diaper Company and Stephen A Works.

" Not only are they good for the environment, good for your pocketbook, good for the baby, they're cute," said Murray Perce, talking about cloth diapers.

" Don't be afraid of color is my thing. I've got shingled head boards which I don't think anybody has ever seen," said Stephen Young of his company, Stephen A Works.

Jill Lepow, a designer of custom products for children like dresses and onesies, has been with The Cherished Home since the beginning.

Genie Francis says Lepow could without question be the next Martha Stewart.

" My goal is that if somebody wants a baby shower gift they can find it, if they're going to a birthday party they'll be able to find a gift as well," said Lepow.

Lepow will also be selling safe, wooden toys for kids.

Francis hopes Mainers will continue to shop local.

" Not just me, downtown Belfast. This town is working hard to rebrand itself, to lift itself up," said Francis.

The Cherished Home will stay open and Francis plans to continue to bring in new items to make sure customers, in her words, " don't become bored".

For more information on The Cherished Home click here.

For information on Maine Cloth Diaper Company click here.

For information on Stephen A Works click here.

Jill Lepow does not have a website yet, but says she hopes to have one soon.

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