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Community Corner

"The Garage" to Feature Local Artists and Crafts Makers

Organizers consider a pop-up store opening in Fairfax on Saturday a "brick and mortar" version of Etsy.

 

In 1939 it was Hewlett-Packard in a Palo Alto garage.  In 1976 it was Apple in a Cupertino garage. In 1998 it was Google in a Menlo Park garage.  But this Saturday, April 27, in downtown Fairfax, ten collaborators hope that another garage may give rise to yet another successful business . . . or businesses. 

The Garage” is the brainchild of Krissy Teegerstrom and Michele Schwartz.  The two commiserated about their challenges of trying to balance time for artistry and time for business. Their solution was to form a community of like-minded local artists who would pool their time and resources to keep a collection of seven shops running under one roof.  

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The roof is over a former garage at 2000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The property has been vacant for over a year now and is currently for sale. Fortunately, the owners of the building are great supporters of the Fairfax community. They also happen to be the owners of Good Earth Natural Foods.  When the owners heard the group’s proposal for temporarily repurposing the former garage and their unique vision for a pop-up store the owners gave a resounding “yes.” 

“We use recycled materials in our own products, so why not repurpose an old building?” said Teegerstrom.  The Garage will offer unique hand-made items that include textiles, jewelry, paper goods, wearable art, fine art photography and repurposed vintage home goods.  “All of the artists had side businesses, so this is really an opportunity for them to take it to the next level.”  In a way, Teegerstrom thinks of The Garage as a brick and mortar version of Etsy

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Staying true to their recycling theme, Monika Rose, another member of the group, contacted Mike Hazel about the vintage “garage” sign recently uncovered at 31 Bolinas Road. If the sign survives removal they hope to secure a place for it inside the old garage to keep it from further weathering. 

Teegerstrom says that as of yesterday, “The Garage” also received approval to host flea markets at the site in the near future.  “If everything comes together the flea markets may start as early as May,” she said. 

The concept for The Garage is based on a shared vision that has already achieved its first success story in bringing community-minded landlords and the sweat equity of creative artists together.  The Garage invites you to its Grand Opening on Saturday April 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Do you know of a local new business opening, closing or anniversary celebration? We want to know! Please contact Tom at tomnovatopatch@gmail.com with all your business tips.

 

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