New downtown Pottstown store focuses on local artists
POTTSTOWN — What’s a good way to spend your time and money when you already have a full-time job and co-own a couple of buildings in downtown Pottstown? Open a business, of course.
At least that’s what Jennifer Isett and Nicole Matz decided to do.
Part retail store, part artisan showcase, part community booster and part classroom, The Collective is located at 10 S. Hanover St. — and had the very good sense to hold its May 11 grand opening on the same Saturday as Gazzos Steaks, four doors down.
Which means they got a lot of exposure on their day, given that the cheesesteak line went right past their front window.
People in line outside Gazzos got a good look inside The Collective, and many wandered in to get a closer look.
Matz told MediaNews Group that she and Isett co-own two other buildings in town, but not the one their store is occupying.
“We have shared interests and we’re both very bullish on Pottstown, so we decided this is the right time to make the leap,” Matz said.
The store focuses on art objects and, from a retail standpoint, “our philosophy is on any given day, you can find everything from something under $10 to $2,000,” said Matz.
Speaking of philosophy, Matz and Isett organized their business on “four pillars.”
The first is, the shop features almost exclusively local artisans and makers, like muralist Carrie Kingsbury and artists from ArtFusion 19564 to name a few, said Matz.
The second pillar is, not surprisingly, the retail aspect of the business, featuring fair trade and eco-friendly goods.
The third is community, by which Matz said, she means selling items for nonprofits in the community, at no profit. For example, if you’re looking for a place to buy the groovy merchandise being sold to support this year’s Pottstown GoFourth! festival and fireworks, The Collective is where you’ll find it.
The fourth pillar is being creative; think bonsai, art, music lessons or talks by authors.
“We try to be really thoughtful about that aspect, so we’re not stepping on another businesses toes. We’re about offering things that are complementary to what is already here, not competing,” said Matz.
“We want to help make Pottstown the place to be — and with things like the renovation of the (former) Lastick (Furniture) building, we’re really hopeful about the downtown,” Matz said.
The store is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
For more on The Collective visit Facebook and Instagram.
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