2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Neighborhood: Bay View
Founded: 2009
Owner: Jessica Franzen
Employees: 3
Service: Clothing, accessories and housewares sold by about 100 local artists. Sparrow also offers monthly art classes
How did you start Sparrow?
Jessica Franzen: “There was a similar store called Fasten Co-Op Collective Gallery that sold all handmade wearables. I was selling my creations there and volunteering. When they were ready to move on, myself and (a business partner) bought the shop. She left in 2015.”
Are you an artist yourself?
“Yes, I am a metalsmith and I make and sell my jewelry at the store.”
“We have well over 100 items from artists at this point. They are a mixture of things people submit and ask us to sell, or things we find through online marketplaces or local craft fairs.”
What does it take for you to agree to sell a person’s creations?
“The items have to be handmade or independently produced and they have to be good quality and have the aesthetic look of our store.”
Do you plan on making any changes to the store?
“Right now we have been trying to offer monthly do-it-yourself art classes including sewing, metal stamping and macramé. I would like to add more classes to the schedule and want to add a wider variety of classes to our list.”
How difficult is it to have a small, brick-and-mortar clothing and gift store?
“We do have to compete with online, but people love getting to support local artists and also having a chance to hold the items in their hands. We are hoping to keep growing the number and variety of art classes we offer.”
