Art project: Creative reuse centers emerge as sustainable resource for crafty consumers

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By Marcy Medina | for The SKUpe

Emily Dake is one of three artists/designers who founded Cincinnati’s arts-and-crafts thrift store Indigo Hippo a decade ago. Passionate about creativity, community and environmental sustainability, they adopted the business model of “creative reuse centers” that operate as nonprofits. With the rise of resale and closure of JoAnn Fabrics, local resources like Indigo Hippo are stepping up to fill the void. Here are Dake’s takeaways for SMBs looking to get involved in their creative communities, either by donating excess inventory or hosting events in-store.

Please describe your business model and your customers.

Our shop, a pay-what-you-can "thrift store for art supplies," is for everyone! We mostly see local artists, art students, other nonprofit program leaders, parents with kiddos, crafters and neighborhood folks. We developed our pay-what-you-can system in our second year of existence (we are now 9+ years old), and we value all donations at about one-half to one-quarter of their original retail value, and then offer those materials back to our community in sliding scale pay-what-you-can ranges. Our lowest range is 5 cents to $1, so you can really get quite a bit of creative materials for an affordable range! Since we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and also pay-what-you-can, all proceeds go right back into our mission of providing this resource of accessible creative supplies and low-barrier artist opportunities. 

How can people find creative reuse centers and how do you market to your local community?

Creative Reuse Centers have existed all over the world for more than 30 years, and in the last 10 years we've seen lots of reuse centers and stores pop up. We have a directory on our website that lists all the other reuse centers we know about across the nation, and we're always adding to it. Word of mouth is our biggest way of spreading the word, and we also share our happenings and store offerings on our social media, namely Instagram, and through a community newsletter. 

Any tips for other small businesses who want to support the creative arts? 

You don't have to have everything figured out to get started. Part of growing a resource that speaks to and serves your community includes listening to what folks need and want in terms of resources, and of course, some trial and error! We are a team of artists and still a smaller organization, and we love to highlight the individual ideas and voices of our team, volunteers, and customers, which always keeps things weird and fun. 

With resale gaining traction, have you noticed an uptick in your business? 

We haven't seen any dramatic shifts in business, although we have had a steady increase in business over the last few years as the topic of reuse has gained more popularity and people have become more concerned with incorporating environmental sustainability into their way of living. We have also recently been a part of a lot of resource sharing around fabric options now that JoAnn Fabrics is closing, a store which has been many sewists' "go-to" for fabric materials and supplies. 

What's one thing you are excited to try in the store this summer? 

Our storefront also features a gallery space, and this summer and fall we have a couple exciting gallery shows coming up, featuring solo shows for two local artists. These will accompany some creative workshop offerings, and we also have a few free crafting pop-ups planned for our neighborhood kids. In the shop, summertime is an exciting time to feature what's possible with some of the weird and wonderful creative reuse goods that come through our doors, and we're looking forward to more storytelling and inspiration sharing for our community. 

Above:  Inside Indigo Hippo (Courtesy)

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The SKUpe is curated and written  by Marcy Medina and edited by Bianca Prieto