Open House – Red House Exchange

Emporia, KS -Community members now have a new place to shop and take a variety of art and crafting classes. Red House Exchange, located at 504 Commercial Street, is now home to several home-based vendors and DIY class opportunities.

Owner and head crafter, Terry Mills, opened the doors to Red House Exchange last month. After working in Mammography for the past 25 years, Mills decided to start a new adventure.

“I have always had a knack for crafting and creating but I put that passion on the back burner while I raised my family. After moving to Emporia and settling in, I just had this itch to start my own business and sell my creations.”

Before opening her storefront, Mills tested her concept at the Great American Market in September.

“I hosted a booth at Great American Market and saw a need for small businesses looking for short-term storefronts during peak seasons. I discussed it with my daughter and things just fell in place! I am so excited to offer classes and venue space that is affordable, convenient, and accommodating to the needs of our community.”

On the weekends, Red House Exchange hosts a variety of vendors at their rotating marketplace and during the week crafting classes are offered.

From customized graphic shirts to seasonal décor to handmade items, the vendors featured at Red House Exchange offer a wide variety of retail options. Vendors who are interested in showcasing their wares within the marketplace can rent a booth for three-day blocks (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and set up their own retail area. Vendors are required to stay with their booths and manage their own transactions.  Typically, marketplace hours are 2 p.m. – 7 pm on Fridays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon – 4 p.m. on Sundays. Times will be adjusted in December to extend Holiday shopping hours.

Crafting classes range from 30-minute drop-in spots to weekly sessions. During the winter season, instructors are focusing on the basics of bow making, creating quick keepsakes, and seasonal home decor. Throughout December, they will host a kids Christmas crafting night every Thursday. Parents can register to drop their child off for an hour of crafting Christmas gifts. They will leave with four gifts, that are crafted and wrapped for the holiday

For those looking to host a creative class or work on a design of their own, rental space is also available at the location.

Mills is currently enrolled in Emporia Main Street’s Start Your Own Business (SYOB) Class and will graduate from the course later this month.

“The SYOB Class is a great course for those thinking about or starting their own business. The class focuses on a wide range of topics from accounting to marketing, to customer service,” explains Casey Woods, Executive Director for Emporia Main Street. “It is also great to see another business testing their concept at the Great American Market. We have had several other entrepreneurs use this event as a large focus group to learn about the local customer pool.”

The Red House Exchange will be holding an Open House on Saturday, November 18^th from 10 am – 6 pm. During this time, attendees are invited to come shop at the vendor market, learn about upcoming classes, enjoy refreshments, and enter to win some featured give -a-ways.

For those interested in becoming a vendor with Red House Exchange, visit their website at redhouseechange.com or call them at 620-344-3200.