A studio space with my own sink to dye in. A showroom to welcome customers into. A cutting table so I wouldn’t have to be on the floor... All pieces of a dream I have had since starting Explore in 2015. Over the years, I have used various work spaces, from my childhood bedroom, to my apartment kitchen, and eventually some small studio spaces. My very first was in the Soda Plant in Burlington, Vermont in 2017. Later that year I decided to leave Vermont and start road tripping across the country with my boyfriend, camping and house sitting along the way (see all the other journal posts!) And while I loved the adventures, I dreamed of one day having a home base for Explore, preferably back in the Soda Plant that I was watching grow from afar as more and more small businesses moved in.

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After finally moving back to Vermont in September 2020 my sights were set on the Soda Plant, alas there wasn’t anything available and I set up shop elsewhere. The following February I reached out again and the owner Steve let me know “We have a big beautiful space you should rent to create an apparel workshop/showroom/co-op... how bout that?” It was a 1200 sqft space, way bigger than anything I had ever imagined and a huge leap from the 120 sqft space I was currently in. I decided to go check it out for fun, with no intention of actually being able to do it. When I got in the room I thought, I want to do this, and with Steve’s encouragement I thought, I can do this. Although, I didn’t know how I would build it, who I would share it with, or where anything would go. I looked past the doubts because after years of dreaming of coming back to the Soda Plant, where I had my first ever studio and took the leap to do Explore full time 4 years prior, it all felt right.

I began moving in March 1 and the huge space started to take shape… A sink was installed for dyeing (!!!) I got a backdrop for photos and a new desk to have both of my sewing machines out at once. Add in a cutting table and finally all of the display pieces I had been collecting for years in one spot. This includes vintage ladders I had thrifted, a driftwood rack made by Weathered Wood in Troy, an accordion peg rack my mom used to use in her children’s clothing store in Manhattan 25+ years ago, and the wooden dining room table from sophomore year of college I had been hanging on to.

In order to make the space work I knew I was going to have to sublet to other makers and in order to do that I was going to have to build walls. After lots of pinteresting and brainstorming I decided pallets were the way to go. My boyfriend Dan and I began hunting for them whenever we were out driving, finding some behind the Walgreens, behind the hardware store, out on the side of the road. We were picking and choosing the best ones we could find. (I still find myself spotting pallets wherever I drive now and getting a little excited.) After multiple trips, 30 pallets were brought home to be sanded and then over to the new studio. As soon as the pallets were in the room things began to take shape. Dan played with them like puzzle pieces, stacking and rearranging and finally screwing together and voila! We got wood and paint for the interior of the spaces and after many more trips to Lowes there were 3 studio spaces waiting to be filled.

Pepper Lee CBD, Abby Huston Designs and Puppycat Co moved in at the beginning of May and created their own work spaces and retail displays out front. A collective was born! After years of being a solo-preneur it’s so nice to be able to have “co-workers” again. Being able to support them in selling their work is one of the best feelings. When I have the space open and they’re not in I’m able to facilitate sales for them and vice versa when I’m out. In January Julianna Brazill, an incredibly talented illustrator, moved into the space as well and Pepper Lee moved down the hall to expand her business and created her own studio collective!

I get so much joy from being able to welcome people into the space and connect face to face. From farmers market Saturdays, to our studio warming party, to Art Hop and the holiday season, I have been able to meet so many new people and introduce them to my colorful world. Being able to touch the fabrics, see the colors in person and try things on, all where the garment is actually made is a unique and special experience for those that visit. Watching the silks come to life as customers try things on and seeing vintage pieces that I’ve collected from all over the country find their perfect match has been amazing.

The Soda Plant is a small business hub of the most incredibly talented and supportive neighbors. It is filled with artist studios, yummy food & drink establishments, and lots of opportunities to shop small and local. I feel so lucky and grateful to be able to call this home for Explore. I hope to see you there soon! xo Emelia

Studio story