Val, you would probably be a good person to start one in your area. I see from your other post that you organize artshow fundraisers. The "co-op" here is called the YES Store. As I said, this will be its 37th consecutive year. Every year it's in a new location (as close to the main drag as possible) depending on what is available at that time. Only artisans living in Santa Barbara county can apply (there are a LOT of artists/craftspeople living in SB). About a month before opening, there is a screening where each would-be participant drops off 5 pieces of their work. Artists who were voted to be on the committee the year before are the screeners. A lot of good work does not make it in because #s accepted depends on the store size found for that year, and there's only enough space for the top scorers. Opening night is a huge party--wine, beer, food, music...(all of my favorite things). Locals here look forward to the Yes Store opening every year, and tourists are told it's "the place" for shopping. It's open from around 11/7-12/25.
If you (or anyone) want more info to get something like this going in your town, feel free to write me. I am certainly no organizer and don't get involved in that aspect, but as this will be my 4th year accepted and my 1st time on the screening committee, I could explain more about how its run.
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