You want to support local businesses but you don’t know where to start? You know a ton of local restaurants to go to but you want to buy local gifts too? Check out Jay Street Collective in downtown Schenectady.
Jay Street Collective (135 Jay Street, Schenectady) opened just a few months ago, October 2021, but has already made its impact with a recent visit from the New York Governor herself for Black Friday.
The Jay Street Collective is a collective of a bunch of local businesses selling their wares *collectively* in one space. According to Schenectady Metroplex, Erin Eckler, owner and operator of Jay St. Collective, said, “Whenever I imagined opening a brick-and-mortar business, I envisioned it in Schenectady and on Jay Street. I feel so lucky to have this space and the warm, welcoming business community it comes with.” She added, “The local small business community in Schenectady is a wealth of talent and a tremendous source of support and encouragement.”
Jay Street Collective features the products of 19 different local artists and makers specializing in so many different products. All items are hand-made by the Jay St. Collective’s resident artists, including Eckler herself. The idea of the Jay Street Collective came from the Clinton Street Mercantile who also featured many local businesses under one umbrella business.
As they say on their website, “Our shop is designed to help you succeed. Each maker rents their space and has complete autonomy over staging, merchandising, and inventory in addition to creating all the items.” To meet the various artists and see the great products you can buy at the store, check out their website.
