Since its founding in 2007, Phoenix Books and Cafe in Essex, Vt., has supported local artists by exhibiting works by members of the Essex Art League. Now the bookstore is devoting more space to artists and artisans throughout the state by joining the Vermont Crafts Council as a gallery and will participate in VCC’s Foliage Open Studio Weekend on October 1 and 2.
“This is about a lot more than hanging paintings by local artists on a wall,” says owner Mike DeSanto. “This is about making a commitment to artists to expand their reach into a new community. Phoenix Books stands behind this effort by featuring these local artists in our newsletter, within the store, and as part of our overall marketing effort.”
In order to become a gallery, Phoenix has not reduced the footprint of its book section. Instead, it added wood cubes to display works by local potters. It displays two-dimensional art on slat wall that encircles the store, and has added locally made pewter jewelry by Danforth, which is nationally distributed but locally owned.
“Given the very dicey economy, our store at four years old this month is doing fine,” says DeSanto. In addition to the gallery, the store is about to renovate its kitchen to accommodate increased business at the cafe, which has a liquor license for beer and wine.
As for books, DeSanto is thinking of expanding. He purchased fixtures from the closing Borders and Borders Express stores in nearby Burlington with an eye to opening a second bookstore in downtown Burlington as early as this fall.
