Our Vision
In a highly trafficked, tourist-heavy downtown that is saturated with fast fashion, imported goods with no connection to our area, and “handmade” looking items that are actually mass-produced, The Drift Collective is a sanctuary of what Southern Oregon artisans and makers have to offer.
Our mission is to make shopping small easy and accessible to the community, to provide local artisans with a platform to showcase their work without the nonstop hustle, and to keep more money in the hands of the makers, where they belong- circulating in our local economy.
The Location
99 N Main St, Ashland, OR 97520
Primely located on a corner lot at the entrance to downtown, the historical building features large windows, natural light, vaulted ceilings, and open floor plan. Previously a Real Estate office for 35 years, the space has been lovingly revitalized to be shared with the community.
The Model
As a collective, artists share the costs of operating a brick & mortar building, which allows them to keep the bulk of their sales without needing to haul product to set up a market booth, become a content marketing expert on social media, or stay up late writing website descriptions and shipping online orders between work days.
Local artists and makers showcase their work for a fixed monthly fee (varying packages based on square footage) and only 15% of the sales goes to the store to help cover admin costs.
The store has other revenue streams like draft beverages, grab & go snacks, and merch (although our graphic designer gets a % of all our merch sales too!) that will help the store grow. This model gives more back to the artists who pour their souls into their work, and ensures the operational costs are covered each month.
BIPOC Makers
The Collective offers a reduced monthly rate to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) members to honor equity, increase access, and create artistic opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the arts. Monthly fees will be discounted by 15% across all vendor levels. Please share this with your favorite BIPOC makers and encourage them to apply!
