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When the original Allegheny Artistry Gallery and Gift Shop
went out of business, it not only left a void in Youngsville's
business district but in the whole area that it served. The
owner offered to rent the space to the participating vendors,
and they were interested. However, after several meetings
it was the "fear" factor that ultimately prevented
the vendors from continuing the gallery. The biggest fear
was that we couldn't sell enough Art to pay the rent and other
related expenses. However the owner really wanted to keep
an "Art" business in Youngsville. So, she made another
offer to a small group of the vendors to start a gallery in
a storeroom to the back of the original gallery RENT FREE.
All we had to do was clean it up and pay all utilities. The
Co-Op model was researched and thought to be a suitable and
workable plan for the new gallery. The group was ready to
start cleaning, painting, etc when the owner came up with
another plan. Why not just use the original gallery space
RENT FREE for three month to see if our ideas would work.
12 dedicated artists enthusiastically embraced the opportunity.
The Local Artist's Co-Op/Allegheny Artistry was open for
business June 26th 2008. The Allegheny Artistry name was included
to save buying a new sign. Burma Shave type signs were set
up on both ends of Youngsville's Route 6 Corridor to attract
business from the 4, 663 cars that pass through everyday.
Quality and variety of Art Work combined with creative networking
have made the business successful even in a slow economy.
Offering a wide variety of Art classes during the winter months
has helped the bottom line as well as filling a community
need.
Our websiate offers a taste of the Art, jewelry, and gifts
that the Co-Op has to offer, but it is also an invitation
to come to Youngsville for lunch at one of the local eateries
and experience an "Art Attack Here".
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