Co-op Crafts Shop Aids Charity and the Economy

Matthew Hersh

There is a cooperative effort underway between Princeton residents and Palmer Square. Is it an agreement on how to execute construction plans along Paul Robeson Place? Well, not quite, but it does celebrate the joint venture of two dozen artists and artisans giving to two local charities and boosting the local economy.

All Hands, a cooperative art gallery at 53 Hulfish Street, has opened for the holiday season through a space made available by Palmer Square Management.

"Around Christmas time, we're quite happy to donate [available open] space for charitable causes," said David Newton, president of Palmer Square Management, L.L.C. "As long as the idea is a good one," he added.

The idea is, incidentally, a good one. Borough residents Anne Neumann and Marianne Gray have initiated a co-op featuring everything from quilts to photography, and jewelry to handbags, with the hopes of beginning a regular holiday institution.

According to Ms. Neumann, the idea for the gallery was spawned in conversations with Princeton Regional Planning Board member Yina Moore while downtown development for the Borough was still in the planning stages. Ms. Neumann said she felt opportunities needed to be given to locally-owned small retailers and restaurants that "represent Princeton's diversity."

"I began to get interested in the use of the buildings around the library and it occurred to me that retail space on Borough land could remain under Borough control, and could be used for community-friendly purposes," she said.

In thinking about what kind of shop would make an attraction for the town, bring the community together, and help spread economic wealth, Ms. Neumann said she felt a craft shop would be a solid fit.

"I started thinking about what sorts of shops and facilities that community might like, and I thought of a cooperative craft shop where people would sell items made in the very shop they own" Ms. Neumann said.

Ms. Neumann said the collaboration of artists creates an environment that is "quite unusual" in Princeton. "Between the high-craft and domestic craft, these are the kind of things you don't find in a regular craft gallery," she said.

Uniqueness plays an instrumental factor in All Hands' existence. Mr. Newton said one of the criteria for a shop to occupy space in Palmer Square is that the gallery does not pose competition to other stores.

Palmer Square also asks that 10 percent of the proceeds go to a charitable organization. All Hands has chosen to benefit HiTops and the Clay Street Learning Center. Both organizations benefit Princeton youth.

The charitable donation is further facilitated because the space is occupied rent-free, according to Ms. Neumann. All of these factors combined, she said, make the gallery representative of a comprehensive community effort.

"The kind of politically idealistic nature of the gallery is really an attempt to buy local and put forth money to the local economy," she said.

Building Local Community

While pleased with All Hands' inaugural season, Ms. Neumann has mapped out plans for the future of the gallery. "I think if we do this another year, we will go to the local churches and advertise the gallery and ask people if they would like to join us," she said.

She added that the gallery can be more successful through bringing more people into the project and instituting more of an in-depth community endeavor.

"This is an example of people coming into the community around the idea that people can take back their downtown to some extent," Ms. Neumann said. However, she pointed out that she appreciates the mix of chain stores and privately-owned boutiques Princeton's downtown has to offer.

"It's not that we don't value the chain stores, but into that mix we can add local-serving stores," she said. "It's local people selling things as well as local people buying them."

All Hands will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday, Tuesday-Wednesday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The gallery will remain open through Sunday, December 28.