When local artists Margaret Carelton and Johanna Fisher decided to host a monthlong pop-up shop in 2002, they simply wanted to showcase the cool things their friends were making. Now, nearly 23 years later, their store, Craftland, has become a colorful mainstay in downtown Providence.
The pop-up shop ran in December only, with 100 artists contributing items to sell and it was a hit, recalled store manager Heather Allen. Droves of people came to Westminster Street in Providence to peruse the tables that artists had set up lined with handmade art and gifts they created.
“There was a sea of people,” Allen said. ”During the month of December, Craftland would make what other stores would make year-round.”
After nine years of hosting the pop-up shop, the women were offered a permanent location in the storefront, making Craftland one of the first small businesses to anchor downtown Providence.
The neighborhood looks much different now, with a slew of small businesses lining the streets. But remnants of Craftland’s beginnings can be spotted in the colorful shop – a lanky tree that Carelton pulled off the side of the road – now painted bright blue and holding rainbow streamers – has been with the business for decades, Allen said.
Some of the 160 artists whose work is sold in the shop have also been with Craftland from the start, Allen said. Most of the artists are local, but there are a few from across the country and Canada.
The store is filled with unique handmade prints, jewelry, cards, toys, clothing, stickers and souvenirs. The selection is constantly changing as items sell and artists bring in new works to display.
Craftland operates as a consignment store, where artists must apply to have their work sold. If selected, Craftland doubles the price the artist set for an item and splits the revenue with them, Allen said.
Keeping the business afloat certainly hasn’t been easy, she acknowledged. Employees were furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic and Allen is concerned about how tariffs will affect the store. But the local community has continued to support Craftland.
“There’s been a lot of people who have cared about the business, who have put artists above profit, which is really rare and super cool,” Allen said.
But Craftland also gives back.
The owners donate to charities, especially ones that support transgender youths. And the shop takes pride in being a safe space for the transgender community – a table at the front of the store is reserved for work by transgender artists and all proceeds of a sticker sale go to the House of Codac.
Now, Allen says the goal is to keep running the shop and helping others.
“We hope to continue having work in the store that is handmade, and [that] artists are inspired to make,” Allen said. “And to keep figuring out how to help build the community.”
OWNERS: Margaret Carelton and Johanna Fisher
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Independent, women-owned handmade-gifts shop
LOCATION: 212 Westminster St., Providence
EMPLOYEES: Four
YEAR FOUNDED: 2002
ANNUAL REVENUE: WND
