Recently, we interviewed local Western Massachusetts shop, Inspirit Common. Inspirit Common carries work from over 175 local artists and crafters and pride themselves on their support of the local arts community. They carry items from multiple Artisans of WMass members too. In this interview, we talked with Inspirit Common about the benefits of buying local, their work with local artists and the positive impacts on the community.
Visit Inspirit Common in their store at 219 Main Street in downtown Northampton, MA or visit them online at: www.inspiritcommon.com
Tell us a bit about your shop and what you do.
Since December 2005, Inspirit Common has provided a different shopping experience, perfect for when people are looking to buy a gift with intention, something that really means something to both the giver and the recipient. We offer practical tools for spiritual growth that we have searched both near and far and wide to bring to the store. We carry a lot of locally produced wares and artful objects of high quality that you won’t find anywhere else. We have a wide variety of items including; crystals, incense, books, music, jewelry, candles, teas, herbal products and art.
Where are you located and what are your hours?
We are located at 219 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. We are open Tuesday & Wednesday 11-7, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 12-6. We are open at other times by appointment or chance.
When did you first start carrying items made by local artists and artisans?
When we first opened the store in 2005 we were already working with local artists. We were lucky enough to have personally met quite a few talented local artists and recruited them into the store from the beginning. Since then we’ve slowly expanded the program to include more than 175 local artists of different kinds.
What is your motivation for selling locally handmade goods?
When you are able to sell local, handmade products you know that they are going to be unique. In a retail setting like this you can wind up carrying exactly the same things as every other shop and there is nothing special about your store that makes you stand out. Having local art and local products makes us a destination for shoppers who want something really special and not mass produced. We love having a venue for artists to show off their work and display their talents, and people really love having the option to find such great local art for sale in one location. This area is rich in spiritual art and we are blessed to have so much talent represented in our shop.
What sort of impact does selling locally made items have on your sales and reputation?
We definitely see people who come in knowing that we have a certain artist or a certain line of products that are a local favorite. But we also see people come in for the first time and realize just how much we have is local and they are impressed and it gives them a way to connect to us and the store and a great reason to return time and again.
What sort of items do you carry that are made locally?
The types of things really run the gamut. We have teas, herbal products, soaps, incense, candles, books, wood carving, jewelry, paintings and more! It is amazing the level and scope of talent available here in the Valley. We see people each week who bring us new things to see or try. Some of the artists have one thing that they do while others create a whole array of items.
What is your process for dealing with the artists themselves to get their work into the shop?
Most people stop into the store and connect with our consignment person, Bud, and get a run down of how the consignment process works and set up a time to show their items. We try to make it clear to people that we are looking for items that have spiritual significance. So even though sometimes the art is beautiful it isn’t always the right fit for the shop which is why we have a review process first.
Are there any locally made best-sellers?
Yes, sure there are. Some of our artists are really genius at making their product in various forms and and making them available at different price points – that makes it affordable for a broad spectrum of shoppers. Mischa Epstein, a local collage artist is a very popular seller for our store. We sell lots of tea made by Jess Morgan of Good4You and the herbal elixers and honeys made by Venus of Bone Flower Botanikals are hard to keep on the shelves.
What do you do to help promote your locally made items?
We have designed a special ‘Local’ program in our store. We have signs around the shop that let you know which products are made locally and we sticker those items with special ‘local’ stickers to identify them clearly. We also promote artists on Facebook or through our blog or newsletter to let people know what is available. Soon there will be a special section of our website that features our local artists as well.
What are your thoughts on keeping money within the community and the local economy in general?
The Valley is a unique environment that really nurtures artists and allows them a lot of opportunities that other small communities lack. If we don’t help to support that cycle of showcasing local talent, supporting local art and keeping the small local economy thriving then we’ll see that talent leave the area for better opportunities. People make a special effort to come to downtown Northampton and to shop at individual, privately owned businesses rather than to go to the mall or big box stores for ordinary shopping. That extra effort made by locals is a huge part of how we succeed here on Main Street along with the other shops and restaurants.
What are your hopes for the future of the buy local movement in Western Mass?
I’d love to have the concept of ‘local’ really catch on. We see people really becoming more and more aware that buying local is great on lots of levels. Buying local food and local products means that your dollar stays local. There are fewer miles traveled between farm and table or shelf and home, which is great for your car and for the environment.
