The Loft at Roscoe General Store offers space for local vendors

Mar 22, 2023

COSHOCTON − Local crafters and artisans have another outlet to sell their wares in Coshocton County as a Roscoe Village business continues to expand.

Good Boy Bakery dog treat and pet supply store owned by Brad and Cathy Fuller recently expanded at 348 to 350 N. Whitewoman St. The Fullers also took over the adjoining Roscoe General Store.

With access to the second floor of the building, they recently started The Loft at Roscoe General Store, a consignment shop for local vendors. There are currently 21 vendors with room for more.

Items include household décor, wood products, jewelry, tumblers, soaps, handmade women's clothing, upcycled wares like denim book covers and more. Flea market items aren't accepted.

"We wanted to give other people who are local entrepreneurs a chance to get into a place where they can sell their items too. A lot of people can't afford to have their own storefront," Brad said. "The crafters we have really do a great job. It's a high end kind of a room. When people come up and shop they'll see the quality of the crafters is here."

There aren't booths like in other similar stores. The Fullers said they want crafters to use as much or as little room as they need and for the space to feel like a uniform shopping experience.

Additionally, the Loft features a small sharing library with a variety of titles. One can take books and drop books off for others to read.

"What we wanted to do was give people an opportunity if they see a book here they like, to take it home and read it. If they're local they can bring it back. If not, we just ask them to pass it onto someone else to read," Brad said.

Tim Dickerson sells cutting boards and charcuterie boards at The Loft. He said he mainly sells through word of mouth and local craft shows.

Dickerson has known Brad for about 20 years and when he heard about the concept of The Loft he thought it would be good for local crafters and the Fullers as they expand their business.

"It gives their customers something else to think about and something else to look at. It creates opportunity for everybody," Dickerson said.

El Casey is a graduated senior from River View High School. She is selling original artwork and jewelry. Casey had made jewelry and paintings for herself, but when she saw a post on Facebook about The Loft starting, she thought she would give selling items a try for the first time.

"I talked to (Brad) and he said 'we would love to have your paintings and your jewelry.' I was super excited," Casey said. "I knew I wouldn't have taken the opportunity if I didn't have the nagging feeling in my gut that said 'do it.' I think it's awesome people have an opportunity to do that."

More information can be found on the Roscoe General Store's Facebook page or by calling 740-622-7715.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.