Transformation

It was quite a year at the Lost River Artisans’ Co-op (LRAC) and its Siamese twin, the Lost River Museum (officially the Lost River Educational Foundation or LREF). The push for change was obvious: the lease was running out, the store manager left to go RVing for a year and a half, and the museum director took a job in Egypt. As president of LRAC/LREF, I often muse over that ancient Chinese character that stands for both challenge and opportunity. I also felt an obligation to make the co-op and museum compliant with the American Disabilities Act. May I never encounter another elderly or infirm individual who has struggled up the barn’s step, arrived at the counter, and asked politely for the restroom—only to be told of the (yes, handicap accessible but muddy) port-a-pot out by the parking lot.

Not quite two miles south on State Route 259, the old feed store was renovated for new tenants. It is now painted barn red-- that would be the big red building without the Confederate flag. It is on one floor, has a ramp and other amenities, and offers the same amount of space we have now. We were invited to move there and the lease is ready to sign. Mind you, it is hard to leave the 1844 barn that we’ve been in since 1996. It is a lovely barn, but it’s a real barn: no plumbing, no ramp, and irascible heat. For some the inconvenience of the barn is already becoming picturesque and quaint, while others are celebrating indoor plumbing!

Our mantra is: “We aren’t closing, merely moving.”  We went down there and planted spring bulbs, so we are already taking root in our new place. I am proud of the board for taking that first step of our next thousand miles. We have winter and spring to make our move and to resettle, and then, transformed, we will ready for a new and improved 2016 co-op and museum season. We hope you will come see us any weekend from April 16^th on. Keep an eye on the lostrivercrafts.com website!