ASHLAND ARTISAN EMPORIUM’S 80 VENDORS
April 2023
Ashland Artisan Emporium has been a popular gift shop, make that multiple gift shops, in Ashland for almost 13 years. The store, which features over 80 vendors who carefully stock and tend their booths on a regular basis, was opened in 2012 by Michelle Christian and was bought by Leah Fairbanks and Derek Lusk exactly one year ago on April 1st.
“We’ve lived in Ashland for 18 years,” Leah said. “My mom moved here from Marin County in the Bay Area where we are from to retire and when we visited, we fell in love with the town and moved here shortly after. Derek and I are both artists. Derek is a gemologist, miner and purveyor of rocks and gemstones. As a jeweler, he creates one-of-a-kind handmade pendants out of various rocks and gemstones. I’m a lampworked glass bead artist and have taught many classes all over the world.”
Leah’s work is featured in many books and articles, and you can find both hers and Derek’s work at the Emporium and at the Lithia Artisan Market on weekends at Calle Guanajuato and Lithia Park. The market runs March through November, weather permitting.
“We have a passion for all items unique and eclectic,” Leah said. “Our focus is to repurpose and recycle goods that have already been manufactured and are out in the world. We purchased several local estate sales, ran out of storage and decided to turn our hobby into a business. We opened The Estate Thrift Store in Central Point, then relocated and changed the name to Rocks and Records in Phoenix. Unfortunately, our business burned down in the Almeda Fire. But when one door closes another one opens, so when the opportunity to purchase the Artisan Emporium presented itself, we assumed ownership.”
The store is filled with personally selected gem and mineral specimens, vintage clothes, tools, antiques and handmade arts and crafts by many local artists.
“You can find anything and everything in our store,” Leah said. “Customers are always bringing up cool items that we have never seen before. We are very proud and happy that our vendors love our store as much as we do.”
A quick perusal of their Facebook page featured a vintage clothing booth, a pottery section, some home décor items, whimsical gifts, wearable art, clothing accessories, rocks and crystals, beautifully propagated plants, jewelry, and a lot more. There truly is something for everyone.
The store is located at 1674 Ashland Street in the Ashland Shopping Center. For more info, the phone number is 541-708-0577. You can also see them on Facebook and Instagram (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). They are open seven days a week: 10-6 Mon-Fri and 10-5 Sat-Sun.