In our previous article, Laying down roots in the local community with Gather Goods Co., Michelle Smith shared the story of how she planted the roots of her business in the Downtown Cary community. Gather Goods is more than a shop, it’s a coworking space where artists and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase what they have to offer.
According to Michelle, when people first come into Gather Goods they can expect to find gorgeous gift goods and fun unique items, “When I source and find items, I want them to be things that are lovely that they will hopefully keep forever.” However, as they spend time in the space, they will experience the coworking aspect that truly sets Gather Goods apart. We spoke with Michelle to learn more about Gather Goods as a coworking space.
Can you talk about the coworking aspect of Gather Goods?
In addition to curating gift goods and making my own products, cards and prints, I also rent out offices within the space. I have seven private offices, and they are rented out to everybody from different micro retail entrepreneurs to different makers to therapists. So it’s a really interesting community and it creates an extra level of dynamism which is cool. It’s just a cozy coworking space. I call it coworking for introverts. It just feels really good and nice. It feels like your home even though it’s not. You don’t have to do the laundry, you can just come in and work and be in a beautiful environment.
Currently what other entrepreneurs are participating in the coworking space?
The entrepreneurs really make the space their own. It’s a really interesting community because you have a variety of people doing different things. Each office has its own character.
Caitlyn has a florist business. We’ve got an entrepreneur who is a teacher full time and has a kids book store. She specializes in diverse and inclusive books, so she has books about disabilities and different ethnicities. They are really well curated and really thoughtful. There is also another entrepreneur who has a mini kids gift store, and she used to be a special education teacher, so a lot of her toys are sensory-sensitive and eco friendly. There is an artist who does weavings and polymer jewelry, and she is the one who made the mural that’s on the wall in the space. Jamie makes soaps and candles. We have a pediatric nutritionist that specializes in lactation consulting and dietary needs for toddlers. We have an accountant’s office here. There is also currently a therapist’s office. Gretchen, who’s the therapist here, has been with me almost since the beginning. She specializes in therapy for teens, tweens and Millennials, and black and brown girls and women specifically.
What does your vision board for Gather Goods look like in 2024?
My leases renew every April, and with that comes a lot of change because we might have different vendors or offices changing over to different entrepreneurs. It’s hard to do a lot of future planning until everyone decides what they want to do. What’s been interesting is having these micro retailers, and I don’t mean micro in the terms of their businesses being small but more so the structure being smaller shops in a larger space. I had put a pin in hosting classes and having shopping open to the public during the pandemic. All of that has changed within the past year, and I’m just going to continue to lean into that but in a softer, more laid back way. Just more of what it has been in the past year, but with more of my stamp on it. I’m always trying to adapt the space to the needs of those within it, but it’s really important that I adapt it to my vision and goals too. I want to steer more towards what Gather’s voice is.
How can people shop at Gather Goods?
We are open every Wednesday to Saturday from 11 to 5 for people to shop. They can also shop online with us, and we ship all over the world or get items for pick up if they live close by but don’t have time to come during our open hours. There’s also a shop-by-appointment option, if I’m available people can contact me to shop privately.
You can learn more about Gather Goods Co. and shop products on their website at https://shop.gathergoodsco.com/, and you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
You can also shop in person at 417 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511