Richmond natives Adrienne Cole, left, and Melody Short are opening a permanent location for the ARTisan Cafe. (Photo courtesy of ARTisan)
Local artists have a new place to sell their work.
The ARTisan Cafe leased in May a 4,600-square-foot storefront at Stony Point Fashion Park. Owners Melody Short, 33, and Adrienne Cole, 35, are opening a co-op in the retail space for local and visiting artists.
“We wanted something that was open on a more consistent basis that allowed artists a little more economic empowerment and people around town a more permanent place to view and buy art,” Cole said.
The business will charge artists $400 per month to sell their goods in the space. No commission will be taken, Cole said, but artists will be required to spend a certain number of hours in the store working with customers. The store aims to work with 20 to 25 artists each month.
Artists will price their jewelry, handbags, paintings, knickknacks and home decor items. Cole said the store wants to have a wide array of goods to appeal to a broad audience. Weekly and weekend options are also available for $250 and $150, respectively. Weekly and weekend options are also available for $250 and $150, respectively.
The Richmond natives launched the cafe in December 2011 and competed in the i.e.* startup competition. They didn’t win, but they carried on hosting quarterly events until June. Cole they worked with more than 100 artists and local businesses in the past 18 months.
The connections they made led them to Stony Point, she said; they initially had their sights set on downtown.
“Downtown is really still attractive to us, but it’s not as much of a retail area,” she said. “Sometimes the traffic isn’t as high as you’d like.”
Renovations on the retail space should be finished this week. Carytown-based Blue Face Designs designed the space. Cole said they spent about $5,000, all of which was generated by the cafe’s quarterly events.
The co-op is expected to open Aug. 15. The store will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
ARTisan’s 4,600-square-foot storefront at Stony Point Fashion Park. (Photo by Mark Robinson)
Richmond natives Adrienne Cole, left, and Melody Short are opening a permanent location for the ARTisan Cafe. (Photo courtesy of ARTisan)
Local artists have a new place to sell their work.
The ARTisan Cafe leased in May a 4,600-square-foot storefront at Stony Point Fashion Park. Owners Melody Short, 33, and Adrienne Cole, 35, are opening a co-op in the retail space for local and visiting artists.
“We wanted something that was open on a more consistent basis that allowed artists a little more economic empowerment and people around town a more permanent place to view and buy art,” Cole said.
The business will charge artists $400 per month to sell their goods in the space. No commission will be taken, Cole said, but artists will be required to spend a certain number of hours in the store working with customers. The store aims to work with 20 to 25 artists each month.
Artists will price their jewelry, handbags, paintings, knickknacks and home decor items. Cole said the store wants to have a wide array of goods to appeal to a broad audience. Weekly and weekend options are also available for $250 and $150, respectively. Weekly and weekend options are also available for $250 and $150, respectively.
The Richmond natives launched the cafe in December 2011 and competed in the i.e.* startup competition. They didn’t win, but they carried on hosting quarterly events until June. Cole they worked with more than 100 artists and local businesses in the past 18 months.
The connections they made led them to Stony Point, she said; they initially had their sights set on downtown.
“Downtown is really still attractive to us, but it’s not as much of a retail area,” she said. “Sometimes the traffic isn’t as high as you’d like.”
Renovations on the retail space should be finished this week. Carytown-based Blue Face Designs designed the space. Cole said they spent about $5,000, all of which was generated by the cafe’s quarterly events.
The co-op is expected to open Aug. 15. The store will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
ARTisan’s 4,600-square-foot storefront at Stony Point Fashion Park. (Photo by Mark Robinson)
thank you for the write-up Mark!
Congratulations ladies! Looks like an amazing space.
Adrienne,
Congratulations!. I am so very proud of you and look forward to much success with your endeavor in the future.
This is going to be fantastic for Stony Point. High fashion, food, and art at the same place.
Congratulations! I think this will be great for Richmond. I hope that you have much success!
Congrats ladies!
Congrats ladies! i wish you all nothing but the best in all you do!!!!
I hope the crowds pour in! Best wishes for great success.
Melody and Adrienne,
Lot’s of love, peace and prosperity as you pursue your entrepreneur ventures.
Melody & Adrienne,
To God Be The Glory!!!!! (TGBTG). Congratulation on a dream coming to life. “People helping people.” Keep your eyes on the the prize as you both venture through your talent of blessing others. Watch out world, this is only the beginning of something powerful!!! Be bless……
Melody and Adrienne, you two epitomize what it means to have a dream and work with passion and persistence to make it a reality. All the best to you and the fortunate artisans who will market their treasures at your new store!
Awesome! Attended the Artisan Cafe for the very first time at City Hall. I haven’t seen this selection of goods anywhere in Richmond. Stony Point is the perfect venue for the Cafe! Much success!
Congratulations to you both! i am so excited for you. The building looks absolutely beautiful. I know it will be successful! God Bless you both!