Past + Future Craft Exchange, a creative reuse center focused on textile crafts and community connection, is relocating from the Dana Warp Mill to a larger space at Stockhouse Station in Westbrook.
Past + Future Craft Exchange is a home for “leftover materials” that crafters may use, or others may toss. These materials and supplied that people don’t use or are unwanted can be donated to Past + Future for future use. Their goal is to make crafting affordable, accessible, and sustainable, reducing the environmental impact of crafting.
Owner Jo Bell launched the business after co-directing the now-closed nonprofit Common Threads of Maine. “This project started three years ago as a program of Common Threads of Maine,” she said. “We decided to close the nonprofit last summer due to difficulties,” Bell continued, “I recognized that there was a loyal customer base for the store and the hobby sewing classes we were offering, so I decided to keep it going as a business, independent of Common Threads.”
The new 1,355± SF space at 506 Main Street will allow for expanded hours, a dedicated classroom, and increased inventory. This is due to the fact that the new space is twice the size of hers, is on the street level, and has plenty of off-street parking for customers!
Bell discussed her vision for her new space where she wants to bring together the community without the burden of cost. “Every Wednesday evening we’ll offer a free social event for crafting in community,” she said, “I’m also planning to offer more new merchandise to help folks find what they need now that Joann Fabrics is closing.”
Mike Anderson of Malone Commercial Brokers represented the landlord, Stockhouse Station LLC, in the lease transaction. Joe Atwood of The Dunham Group represented the tenant. “We’re excited to welcome Past + Future and its owner, Johanna, to Stockhouse Station,” said Anderson. “Her business is a perfect complement to our unique mix of office and service retail tenants and anchor restaurant tenant. Past + Future is one of several new additions to the property in recent months, reflecting the continued momentum and appeal of Stockhouse Station and the City of Westbrook as a whole.”
Other tenants that have recently joined Stockhouse Station include a real estate office, a board game bar and a small beauty spa.
Past + Future operates as an L3C—a hybrid between a for-profit business and a nonprofit. An L3C business is a private organization that earns profits, only in order to conduct business to help a certain cause. At Past + Future, the center of their mission is sustainability, creativity, and community, all causes that we all should be embracing, especially in Maine.
The grand opening weekend is scheduled for May 9–10, featuring a ribbon cutting with the City of Westbrook, a scissor sharpening pop-up by Wicked Sharp, and mending services from Two Cat Tailoring. See you there!