Earlier this month, The Little Light Collective opened its doors at 3041 Indianola Ave. in Clintonville. As a vintage co-op, the shop is a 2,500 square foot treasure hunt of vintage, handmade, and unique finds.
April Rhodes, whom you might know from her fabric design collections and influence on her mom’s sewing shop, Sew to Speak in Worthington, is the frontrunner on this new shop in Clintonville. Rhodes had been dreaming of a shop like this for years and had been keeping an eye on the Clintonville area. When this space became available at the beginning of July, she knew it was the perfect opportunity.
Rhodes’ family, friends, and community rallied together for a soft opening just six weeks later on August 18. Rhodes said it was “a communal, shared investment” and “passion project” for so many that pitched in to get the shop up and running in such a small window of time. Since then, Rhodes and her team have been working out kinks and finalizing plans for their grand opening event, which is scheduled September 4-13.
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Rhodes did not shy away from starting a business during a pandemic. Rather, she saw it as an opportunity to provide income for craftswomen who depend on flea markets, craft shows, and antique events. She has implemented strict COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing a mask, utilizing hand sanitizer, limiting the number of guests in the shop at one time, and ensuring guests social distance from other guests while shopping. Rhodes wants The Little Light Collective to be a space that encourages and uplifts the community while also keeping people safe. More specific instructions on their safety protocols can be found on their Instagram page.
The Little Light Collective has over 30 vendors, all female, that each have booth space within the shop offering candles, plants, clothes, shoes, furniture, rugs, jewelry, planters, blankets, pillows, and more. Each vendor is able to set up and stock their booth space however they like, so although the store is 85-90% vintage, vendors sometimes also offer handmade and newer pieces that fit their aesthetic vibe. Those familiar with the local craft and antique shows are likely to find some familiar faces alongside some new ones. Vendors are constantly restocking and updating their spaces, so each visit to the shop will yield a new experience for guests.
Rhodes plans to also host events and classes in the future. Some of the classes she hopes to offer are handcrafting arts, embroidery, knitting, weaving, and collage classes.
The Little Light Collective is open to the public Tuesdays-Sundays from 12 – 6 p.m. More information can be found on their website TheLittleLightCollective.com, on their Instagram @the_little_light_collective, or their Facebook @thelittlelightcollective.
All photos by Randi Walle