Creative Reuse Marketplace has reopened in White Oaks Mall on the upper level next to Malibu Jack’s. CRM is much more than a retail store. It is a nonprofit organization that inspires creativity, provides a place to donate items for reuse, keeps materials out of the landfill and engages in educational programs with art as the foundation.
Creative Reuse Marketplace was previously located downtown on Fourth Street just north of Adams Street. Being close to the farmers market was advantageous, but it outgrew its location. CRM needed a larger retail area as well as space for storing and sorting donated materials and room for community education programs and workshops. Board president Adena Rivas said they searched for an alternative site downtown, but were unable to find an affordable option that could accommodate their needs for retail, storage and workshop spaces under one roof.
“It was a tough decision to leave downtown, but the new space is easily four times the size,” said board member Betsy Dollar, who is also the executive director of Springfield Art Association. “Now the merchandise is displayed and visible, and people can move freely through the space. It is a dramatically improved shopping experience.”
The store features an eclectic assortment of art, craft and hobby supplies. Yarn, jewelry, office supplies, sewing materials, retired tech, games, frames and decorative items are just some of the items available at affordable prices. This is the place for artists, teachers, scrapbookers, hobbyists, creative individuals, recyclers and upcyclers, along with anyone who enjoys making things with kids or grandkids.
It is a one-stop shop where lightly used, upcycled, reused and non-recyclable post-consumer materials are donated and sorted for sale and also redistributed locally to educators and other nonprofits that work in the arts and education fields. Plans are underway for workshops in the store this fall, based on making things from the products in the store.
CRM was founded nearly five years ago by Rivas, who was inspired to combine her passions for art, the environment and sustainability. Rivas is the former waste and recycling program coordinator for the city of Springfield and now works as the energy projects manager for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Springfield Art Association director Dollar has been involved since the beginning, helping to fulfill the vision of CRM.
With grant funding, CRM initiated an art-based, social-emotional learning pilot program last spring with Douglas Alternative School. The program was designed to provide hands-on art-based learning activities and exercises during school hours and within the classroom. Lessons are geared toward using art as a tool to help students develop social and emotional skills and strategies to manage emotions, build healthy relationships and overcome personal challenges.
CRM is an all-volunteer organization with an all-female, highly dedicated board of directors. Community support has been crucial to the success of CRM to date, including grants from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Westminster Presbyterian Mission Outreach, Urban Action Network and Illinois Arts Council.
Donations of items to sell have been paused for the past few months due to the move, but are now being accepted again. A list of accepted items is available on the website. Bring a bag or box during open hours. For larger donations, schedule an appointment through the calendar on the website.
As an all-volunteer run organization, the hours the store can be open are contingent on the volunteer schedule, so new volunteers are needed. There are many ways to get involved and support CRM. To find out more about donating items for the store, volunteering or opportunities for educators, go to CreativeReuseMarketplace.org.
“We hope that all our established customers come to find us, and we hope that many new shoppers discover us in our corner of the mall,” said Dollar. “The store is a treasure for people with imagination and some skills and those who are looking to try some new things.”
Hours during July and August are Wednesdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
