Politics & Government

Shopping Local: Record Demand for City's Arts and Crafts Faire

This year's faire, now in its 32nd year, drew more vendors and generated more revenue than any other year.

Organizers are still tallying the figures, but preliminary numbers show that Rohnert Park's 32nd Arts and Crafts Faire generated more than $10,000 in revenue for the city on Thanksgiving weekend — more than twice what the event brought in 10 years ago.

About $9,3000 came in from booth rentals, $2,000 from pottery sales, and thousands in ATM fees, according to Donna Abeln, the city's special events coordinator.

Alben, who worked tirelessly through the weekend, has made it her first priority to make the once-flailing event a success. Vendors seeking a booth even called up the day of the faire. But it was booked — in addition to hitting revenue goals, the city had to turn away 15 prospective vendors because of space restrictions.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The faire was a huge success — it was crazy until 4 p.m. on the second day," Abeln said. "When the Community Center almost closed three years ago, I asked the city to take it over. I said I could make it a success, and set out to do that."

This event's wild popularity, underscored by vendors' and shoppers' excitement, could serve as a model for future city events — which so far this year is costing the city more than they're making. Officials reported in a financial review at last week's that Callinan Sports and Fitness Center is the only of the city’s three recreation facilities that didn’t lose money this year. The sports center made an $8,748 profit, while the Community Center lost more than $26,000 and Senior Center lost $54,593.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatiwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Upkeep of the s cost about $230,000 in city money, and community events, such as Tasty Tuesdays, totaled $12,000 in losses. Spreckels Performing Arts Center lost the most of any recreation center this year, costing the city more than $72,000 in expenses.

Elected officials, however, said it's events like the Arts and Crafts Faire and the that make the city unique.

Councilman Amy Ahanotu last week raised concern about the community services and events that have lost money, but said it's important to provide services that are "essential to the citizens of Rohnert Park". He pointed that although facilities such as pools and the Community Center cost the city money, they cost less than originally projected.

Vice Mayor Jake Mackenzie echoed Ahanotu's concerns.

Mackenzie said it's important to realize that although the services aren't sustainable, they remain an important asset to the city and its residents.

"These are decisions that we make as a city," Mackenzie said. Residents "have a reasonable expectation that they're always available ... even though [services] may not always pencil out to the last dime."

Mackenzie pointed to It's not about a profit. He said it's important to keep costs as low as possible, but recognize that there are costs to providing these services.

Abeln, together with Martha Hensel and Jan Geffre, who also work for the city, attributed the Arts and Crafts Faire's popularity to aggressive marketing. The team used media outlets, Facebook and on-the-ground networking to generate interest.

They canvassed area pumpkin patches, Farmers Markets and other craft fairs to find out what's working, and to get the word out. Abeln shared some other pointers that she said helped make the faire:

"We didn't charge admission, we had kettle corn and we offered beer and wine for the first time, for example," she said.

A total of 90 vendors came, some from as far as Mendocino, Modesto and Roseville. Shoppers reveled in a potpourri of local craft offerings — things ranging from jewelery, to Christmas ornaments, handmade pottery, pastas and locally-sourced honey.

David Knuutti, owner of Nan's Gourmet Foods, was set up for both days. During a 10-minute period, more than eight people tasted and purchased the company's products — things ranging from meyer lemon dipping oil, aged blackberry balsamic vinegars and sweet basil linguini.

"Business has been really good," Knuutti said in his booth Saturday afternoon. "This is our third year. I think we're doing better this year because of our location, and it looks like the economy is picking up a little bit."

Knuutti said in one day, he make $1,100, and estimated that he'd do about the same on the second day.

"We'll definitely be back next year," he added.

Cindy Senk, who owns Senk Farms in Rohnert Park, came for the first time this year. She was astonished about how well her booth did.

"Even in today's economy, people are coming here to buy," Senk said. "This is the community coming out to support local businesses."

Senk, who is also a beekeeper, sold handmade soaps, lip balms and honey — many packaged in mini gift bags, for between $4 and $16. She said it's likely the pricepoint that was key to her boom in business this weekend.

"We're selling handcrafted products for reasonable prices," she added. "We've made three times as much money as we make at farmers markets."

Alben echoed Senk's sentiment.

"Rohnert Park is not an extravagent city — people are coming here to buy handmade, unique things."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here