The Prairie Handmade Shop turned one this summer and we would like to report on how things are going.
The shop relies on volunteers and vendors. Our huge thanks to all of them and to the local community for supporting the shop that showcases handmade creativity.
The shop was open for 142 days between June 2021 and end of July 2022. That’s more than 700 hours volunteered.
We sold $23,000 worth of goods that ranged from textiles, like handbags, wallets and pillowcases, to freeze-dried candy, wood working and baked scrumptiousness, to many, many other items.
100% of sales go back to vendors. We have 11 vendors at the store now, plus many others who sold temporarily at the store, over Christmas for instance, or who dipped their toe into stocking a retail space.
Vendors can choose between paying rent to the store or volunteering there.
Vendors paid a total of $5920 in rent and the shop paid $300 per month in rent to the Town of Gull Lake and, more recently, to the owners of the new property.
Gull Lake’s Economic Development Committee launched the shop with the goals of encouraging entrepreneurship and creating a unique destination shopping experience in Gull Lake. Mission accomplished!
News about the shop has spread by word of mouth and social media, attracting both visitors and locals. This summer Hannah and Cole Girodat purchased the property at 1365 Conrad Avenue to establish their own book and stationery store.
That means we’re on the lookout for a new home! If you have space we could rent, or a collaboration to explore, please contact Lindsay Aliban, Economic Development Officer, at 306-741-3775.