BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
West Elm announced today the opening of a 6,130 sq. ft “pop-up” store in Washington D.C.’s Union Market. Just in time for the holidays, West Elm @ Lab 1270 will open Saturday, November 19 and will further the company’s commitment to local makers and artisans by establishing a “Makers Residency Program”. Local artists and makers including Samantha Testa of Painted Palettes and Kaitlyn Morrison of Morrison Makers will have a temporary residence within the store to produce new works, host interactive and educational workshops and give customers insight into their creative process. The store will also support the work of nine Metro-area makers, offering customers a curated assortment of handmade gifts alongside the West Elm holiday assortment of modern furnishings and décor.
“Joining Union Market District gives us the opportunity to deepen our commitment to supporting D.C.’s local artists and makers,” said West Elm president Jim Brett. “We hope our ‘Makers Residency Program’ contributes to the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that makes Union Market a vibrant communal District.”
“West Elm, like us, understands that local makerpreneurs drive the local economy,” said Jennifer Maguire, Director of Brand Strategy at Edens. “Storytelling, experiences, digital and design are rewriting the rules of retail and nowhere in the country is this more prevalent than here at Union Market.”
As part of West Elm’s LOCAL program, West Elm @ Lab 1270 will feature locally made products by nine D.C.-based makers including:
- Forty Third Place: Trays made from salvaged and reclaimed wood with a modern design made in Hyattsville, MD.
- Foxwood Co: Handmade sculptural vessels, dishes and objects carved from locally sourced wood in Annapolis, MD.
- Fybur: Art prints with organic, geometric abstract shapes made by artists in Ashburn, VA.
- Morrison Makers*: Minimal and modern home décor handmade in Pasadena, MD.
- The Neighborgoods: Hand-printed dishtowels and cards inspired by the beauty of food and made in Washington, DC.
- Painted Palettes*: Handmade art, stationery and prints created in Arlington, VA.
- Typecase Industries: High-quality paper goods and letterpress prints produced in Washington, DC.
- The Vintage Vogue: Modern, hand-painted wood coasters made by a Baltimore-based artist.
- Waxing Kara*: Beeswax-infused bath and beauty products made by a beekeeper based in Owing Mills, MD.
“Art has always been my passion. Last year I turned that passion into a business and West Elm was there to help. I’m thrilled to partner with them in building a creative space for people to access art and learn new skills," said Samantha Testa, Painted Palettes.
Additionally, the store will showcase a selection of the “Best of LOCAL” products curated from West Elm’s network of more than 500 makers from across the country, including:
- 42 Pressed: Hand-painted and antique-pressed map prints made in Wadmalaw Island, SC.
- Claudia Pearson: Tea towels and totes designed by a Brooklyn, NY illustrator.
- Eric Trine: Steel geometric side tables and plant holders in powder-coated finishes made in Long Beach, CA.
- Little Seed Farm: Humanely and sustainably produced soap and skincare from a farm in Lebanon, TN.
- Louisa Glenn: Nashville-based painter creating prints with bold colors and geometric patterns.
The Union Market District is a 45-acre district in the north east quadrant of the city, one of D.C.'s most vibrant, diverse and thriving neighborhoods. Located on 5th Street catty-corner to The Market at Union Market, West Elm @ Lab 1270 will host ongoing events and workshops. For up-to-date information on in-store promotions and events, customers are encouraged to “like” West Elm DC on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westelmdc/ and follow the store on Instagram: @westelmdc. West Elm @ Lab 1270 Union Market is open Tue - Fri: 11 am - 8 pm and Sat - Sun: 10 am - 8 pm. Union Market is located at 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. The store phone number is (202) 821-6133.
*Indicates that this maker is participating in the Makers Residency Program.
About West Elm
Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY since 2002, West Elm opened its first store in DUMBO, the neighborhood it still proudly calls home. With the mission of helping customers express their personal style at home, work and away, everything West Elm does is designed to make an impact in everyday life, from creating unique, affordable designs for modern living to its commitment to Fair Trade Certified, from LOCAL and handcrafted products to community-driven in-store events and collaborations. The brand operates 98 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK, ships internationally to customers around the world and operates stores in Mexico, the Middle East and Philippines through unaffiliated franchisees. In addition to home furnishings retail, West Elm operates West Elm Workspace in the commercial furnishings industry and recently announced its expansion into the travel and hospitality industry with the launch of West Elm Hotels. West Elm publishes the blog Front+Main and is part of an active community on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube. West Elm is a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands.
About Union Market
The Union Market District is a 45-acre district in NE that is one of DC's most vibrant, diverse and thriving neighborhoods—a living laboratory for a sustainable urban community and place for creative minds and businesses to connect, thrive, launch and make DC their own. Since opening in September 2012, The Market at Union Market, the acclaimed food market with over 40 local scaleable businesses, averages 15,000 visitors per weekend and has hosted over 400 community and private events. On May 4, 2016 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser hosted a private reception at Union Market’s Lab 1270 in honor of Small Business Week and signed the Made in DC Program Establishment Act of 2016 legislation on-site. For more information about Union Market, please visit www.unionmarketdc.com.
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