Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 8:45 AM EDT Mar 11, 2020
In last week’s column, a reader asked about the December closure of The Rustic Barrow and its cryptic message, “see you next fall.”
The Rustic Barrow multi-vendor craft and art market had been open from June through December at 3345 W. College Ave., next to Harbor Freight Tools in Grand Chute.
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Co-founder Adam Schwoerer called after the column ran.
He said the business was always set up as a pop-up or seasonal shop, and that handmade goods have peak sales from late summer/early fall through Christmas.
He said the sellers who rented booths were aware of the short-term nature of the business.
“We were very upfront and open with all of them. Our vendors did know and were aware that it was seasonal. Our business structure has always been that way. The booths are designed so they can be taken down in less than two days,” he said.
“The way we structure our leases is that we get a short-term lease with extensions. If we had a spot that really took off, we’d consider staying. It all has to do with the pricing of the location and the foot-traffic.”
He said the next location hasn’t been determined. It could be anywhere in the Fox Valley, from Oshkosh through Appleton to Green Bay, and will be announced on the Facebook page 30 to 60 days before opening.
Contact reporter Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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