Fredericton Entrepreneur Puts New Twist On Local Artisan Market
FREDERICTON – Teresa Giacobbe, the owner and director of Fredericton’s 506 Artisan Market, loves to help and give back to people within the artisan and local community. Through her own personal life and as an entrepreneur, she partners with people who want to make a difference and help those in need.
506 Artisan Market opened last May at 1215 Hanwell Street. Giacobbe says the market is Atlantic Canada’s first and only artisan retailer where vendors receive 100 percent of their commissions.
This is possible because rather than claiming a percentage of vendors’ commissions, Giacobbe charges a monthly membership fee. This includes everything like merchandising, shipping, online listings, and more, which she does mostly on her own.
Giacobbe is a woman with a delightful personality and a passion for all things crafty. She tells Huddle her ambitions for 506 Artisan Market are to create a welcoming environment for the artisan community across Canada.
“It’s just a really great, encouraging environment where everyone is collectively rooting for the success of each other. I think there’s room for everyone to succeed,” she says.
She opened her storefront to help people who might not have the time to have a storefront of their own. This gives smaller makers an opportunity for their products to be on display and sold not only six days per week, but also online for customers across Canada.
“I’m just trying to help the maker community because going to craft shows all the time is a lot of work and it’s very time-consuming,” she says. “They’re reaching customers in BC, Alberta, and Ontario [through their online platform] without having to lose the time in their day.”
Unlike a craft show, 506 Artisan Market displays vendors’ designs by product rather than by vendor. This means that each vendor will be spotted at various areas of the store, rather than just one, with new vendors constantly joining.
Right now, the market features products like candles, plantable seed cards, gemstones, and more, created by vendors like Honey Pot Shop, Heavenly Scent Candles and Gifts, EA Designs, and others.
This is not Giacobbe’s first business within the artisan community. She also owns another craft store, Crafty Corner Supplies, that helps supply creators with what they need to bring their projects to life.
Along with helping the maker community, Giacobbe also uses her storefront to help the local community in need. Through the use of a “giving tree,” she gives customers the option to add a donation with their purchase to a charity of their choice. She has also partnered with companies like Lift NB to help those in need.
“I think helping people is kind of my jam. It’s definitely time-consuming, but I don’t like being idle. I like giving back,” she says.
506 Artisan Market also supports local artisans through its Saturday night “Craft, Snack, and Give Back” events. These craft nights are hosted by a local artist and ten percent of ticket sales go to a charity of their choice. Snack platters and drinks are also purchased from local businesses.
“It’s giving people the opportunity to come together after a long two years of Covid,” Giacobbe says. “Enjoy trying something new in a friendly and light-hearted setting.”
In the upcoming weeks, 506 Artisan will be hosting craft nights through Fredericton’s FROSTival.
Ryley Roach is a Huddle student intern, based in Fredericton. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected]
