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closeRebecca Senechal will soon have a lot more company at her downtown Bellingham store.
Senechal, who owns Persnickity Designs with her husband, James, is establishing an artist co-op called Crafty Inc. Senechal plans for 21 artists in a 1,200-square-foot space, showing a variety of wares in the store, at 205 E. Chestnut St., including jewelry, lingerie, bags and journals. Each artist will have his or her own display area and will take turns managing the other displays. Persnickity will retain its own retail section and continue to operate its sewing production room in the adjacent space.
The 3,000-square-foot facility will be closed through Wednesday while the artists move in their products. They’ll have a soft opening Thursday, with a grand opening in June.
Senechal said she came up with the idea as she was making adjustments to her business, which manufactures and sells handbags and other accessories. The success of the nearby Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturdays got her thinking of expanding the crafts industry.
“Our business has been moving more into wholesaling, which created some extra retail space,” Senechal said. “The best part about a co-op is to test products for the retail market. We’ll continue doing it, but this will allow many other local artists to try it out.”
While Persnickity Designs has been landing more wholesale contracts, Senechal has been very pleased with the growth of her retail business since moving into the Chestnut Street space last summer. She now makes more than 50 designs/sizes for her handbags. Several of the designs come from customer suggestions.
“The big bags have been the trend recently, but many customers have requested smaller sizes, which have sold well here at the store,” Senechal said.
Customers also have been able to watch bags being made, which has turned out to be a nice draw, she said.
“I get plenty of people watching me through the window, and it leads to questions about the bags,” Senechal said. “It’s been great connecting that way.”
BUSINESS ON MOVE
Manna Music, which has been selling instruments locally for 24 years, will move out of downtown and into Bakerview Square later this year.
Jamie Miller, president of the company, said he expects to move into the new location in July. The new spot will have 4,000 square feet of space and 10 studios, which will allow the business to expand its lessons program.
“The teaching part of the business has grown to the point that we are limited to what we can do here (at 703 W. Holly St.),” Miller said. “The place we are moving to is a well-designed space to offer more lessons.”
The company also has been selling a variety of instruments, including guitars, keyboards and sound equipment. They also do guitar repair work.
Miller said selling instruments has leveled off in recent years because of online and other competition, but he plans to add product lines at the new location.
For more information, visit www.mannamusic.com.
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