Name of business: The Creative Market

Type of business: Makers’ space and handmade gifts

Location: 415 E. Olive Ave., Turlock

Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays starting in April; Biweekly Friday night markets; Class schedule at www.thecreativemarket-turlock.godaddysites.com and @thecreativemarket_turlock on Instagram

Contact information: thecreativemarketturlock@gmail.com

Specialty: Monthly crafters showcases

History of business:

Less than a year after first opening, The Creative Market has relocated to a downtown spot where owner Elizabeth Reyes hopes to cultivate a space for creators. 

In the shop’s original location off Countryside Drive, which opened last May, artists and crafters rented space where they could sell their goods. Reyes felt this model placed far too much emphasis on retail, she said, when she originally meant for The Creative Market to be a space where vendors could not only showcase their craft, but learn from and help others in the industry.

When the business was presented with an opportunity to move into their new downtown space, Reyes knew it was the perfect location to expand upon her original idea for The Creative Market. Since the building isn’t retail space, The Creative Market now serves as a rotating classroom and makers’ space, with paint and sip events, circuit bootcamp courses, bingo and trivia nights and a variety of other workshops. 

“Now we’re more focused on creative workshops, which is really fun,” Reyes said. “It’s a lot of hands-on stuff without the pressure of a retail store.”

The Creative Market still provides opportunities for local vendors to showcase their talents, with a permanent in-store shop that’s open during classes and workshops, as well as pop-up markets held every other Friday night. Customers can also schedule an appointment to shop the store’s permanent vendors. 

“We’re really a collective now,” Reyes said. “We love being downtown and the foot traffic has already been amazing…We’ve made some really great friends in this new spot and love our neighbors.”

Those who are interested in the various classes, workshops and markets hosted by The Creative Market can visit their website or Instagram page, listed above, for more information. 

“Our end goal is to help the community’s small businesses,” Reyes said. “This move has just pushed us further along in that dream.”