SUPERIOR – A Superior store focused on arts, crafts and sustainability opened Monday, August 1 at the former Campus Barber Shop, 709 Belknap St.
Sandwiched between the A&W Family Restaurant and Champion’s Lounge, Reclaim Creative Reuse is a craft store that operates like a thrift store. The business slogan is “Where creativity meets sustainability”.
Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram
“Everything here is donated, second-hand,” said Superior’s owner Marie Williams.
Items are sold in small quantities at discounted prices, allowing artisans to buy exactly the quantity they need. Customers looking for a few stamps, a handful of beads to turn into a necklace, sheets of scrapbook paper, silk flowers or sewing patterns might find what they are looking for in the new store.
The company accepts donations of craft supplies from the community, with a 10% discount for customers who donate at least one grocery bag full of items. The goal is to put unused crafting supplies that are in good condition back into storage so they don’t end up in landfill or gathering dust in a drawer.
“I mean, if you have it, you won’t use it. Our goal here is definitely sustainability and making sure the items get to someone who will use them,” Williams said.
Most of the items in the store on Tuesday 2nd August were from the owner’s home. She sews her own clothes and enjoys making things out of paper, such as decorative books.
“This is my personal shopaholic horde that I bought or was given as a gift and had no use for,” Williams said, laughing. “Let’s start with that.”
Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram
The idea for the store came from her background in crafts and a desire to shop small.
“I just thought there must be a way to get arts and crafts supplies outside of big department stores,” she said.
A Google search led her to information about the creative reuse movement, something that resonated with Williams, who grew up in Culver, Minnesota.
“Reuse has been a part of my life for a long time, so it’s always been important to me,” she said.
Williams said the store can offer tradespeople in Superior and Douglas counties a resource that’s a little closer to home than Duluth. A back area of the store will be converted into a space where classes can be held.
“We live here, so having it here meant a lot to us,” Williams said.
This is the first company the Superior woman has started, but it fits well with her interests and background. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in art history with a minor in business administration. Their shop is directly across from campus, a short walk away for students.
“I took art classes there and I know what it’s like, so hopefully they can find resources here,” Williams said.
Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram
The business currently employs two, Williams and her husband Eric. It’s a part-time job for both of them, but they hope to turn it into a full-time small business.
Reclaim Creative Reuse is open Sunday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be a grand opening celebration of cupcakes from Twisted Pastries Coffeehouse on Sunday, August 7th at 1pm.
Donations can be made at any time during store opening hours. Items must be in good condition or unused. The store accepts the following items: glue, tape, ribbons, paper, pens, pencils, markers, paint, brushes, sketchpads, notebooks, journals, canvases, stamps, ink, flowers, stickers, felt, fabric, thread, needles, zippers , buttons, scissors, pins, rulers, patterns, rippers, thimbles, machine patterns, yarn, hooks, needles, stitch markers, blocking mats and other sewing supplies.
For more information or a complete list of items the store can and cannot accept, visit the Reclaim Creative Reuse Facebook page or call 715-718-2105.
Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram
Maria Lockwood / Superior Telegram