A huge advantage of turning in one's basement or garage is the elimination of SIGNIFICANT overhead, but a disadvantage is not being before the public.

And of course galleries will sell for the maker, but the commission rate is SIGNIFICANT.

A middle ground might be a co-operative retail storefront with 4 or 5 other artisans.  Might be most effective if each participant worked in a different area - woodturning, pottery, fiber arts, water colors, oils, et cetera.  The insurance would be lower than having a woodturning studio in a commercial space, and there would be a number of people sharing the cost of utilities, internet, advertising, et cetera.  Each person could spend one day a week in the store handling sales for everyone, and the remainder of the week making more items for sale.

That's the theory at least.

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Jan 25^th, 2019 at 9:48am:

In a nutshell, it's usually called the human factor, very hard to quantify.

Don Stephan wrote on Jan 24^th, 2019 at 7:35pm:

This is true and this is also why I always stress taking quality photos of your work.
If your only exposure to the public is the internet, you need clear concise descriptions  of your work and good quality images.
IMNSHO, If someone or some vendor can't be bothered to describe and/or photograph their product, so as the average consumer can see and understand what they're potentially purchasing, I move on.

There's a food co-op in Belfast, Maine that was here when I moved up over 25 yrs ago and is still going strong.

That is the system they have... there are some who are paid to oversee and run the place so it stays healthy  and then there are the volunteers.

Seriously one of the best health food co-ops I've ever been in.


Your mention of about 30 people in that co-op is most likely why it is working.  Sort of a critical mass. Too few and it just peters out.

I have seen a couple pop up shops around here.  They all have been in shore towns.  They work out a deal with the the owner of the rental properties that are vacant during the off season months for cheap short term leases.  One in a high income shore town has turned from a pop up shop to a permanent one.  It works out good for both parties as the property owner gets some sort of rental income instead of sitting on a vacant shop until beach season and the pop up shop gets cheap rent.

So i am be being offered an opportunity to join something similar to a co-op of sorts but they describe it as a micro shoppe.  They supply the employees to run it, take care of all the transactions and supply the bags for customer purchases.  They also will have a portal to keep track of inventory and sales.  I would pay a 6 month lease for space and 10% of sales to cover credit card transactions and packaging.  They are still in the construction stage but i am thinking about leasing a book shelf space that is 24"x16"x72" to see how it goes.  They want $75 a month / $450 for the 6 months.  Figuring i pay that in entry fees for 3 one day shows it might be worth it.

I already asked most of those questions.  They are renovating A house on the main street of the town so i cant walk through it yet but i have seen the floor plans.  They cant give me any numbers but the road is part of a secondary route from NYC to  Atlantic city.  It is a shore town not on the ocean its on the bay but multiple marinas directly on the main street within walking distance.  The hours of operation are set in stone Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 6.  I am going to go for it i already looked over the lease agreement and am ok with it.  I think i can fit enough variaty of product on the shelving unit to make money if they can get customers in the door.  If things go good i have the option of moving from the shelf to a larger space.  They have 4x4 and 5x10 rooms throughout the building as well.

Its a straight 6 month lease.  I forgot to mention towns like this double as commuter towns.  More and more people that work in nyc and north jersey are moving south to these towns where property and taxes are cheaper.  Its directly on the parkway which is the main highway to the northern part of the state.

Chris, where is this place?

I grew up in Toms River so I'd like to know where this is located. Thanks.