NEWBURYPORT – The Commerce Cottages, a group of small, colorful shanties in downtown, help artists, students, nonprofits and small businesses sell their products, wares and services – a way to start in business in Newburyport without the high cost of traditional retail spaces.
Organized by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, the cottages stand in the well-located courtyard of the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church on Pleasant Street. The project, which opens next month, is a new version of the previous Arts & Culture Shanties, but with a new mission, new location, new manager and lower prices.
The original program, promoted by John Moynihan, the former director of the Firehouse Center for the Arts, stood on the waterfront. Most recently, they housed artists and entrepreneurs on the Clamshell Park on Merrimac Street, where the city may build a visitors’ center and restroom complex at the waterfront.
When Moynihan left the theater, the shanty program floundered, needing new leadership and a new home. Chamber president Nate Allard, asked at a Firehouse board meeting if the chamber might be interested, raised his hand.
“The city needs something new,” he said, stepping up with the city to keep the shanty program alive.
Now renamed the Commerce Cottages, the three shanties have been moved to a more permanent and central location at the church on Pleasant Street. One is being used by the church to support an Afghan refugee family, which will sell wares from its homeland.
Another shanty is leased by the Jewel Town Pottery in Amesbury. Visitors can watch and purchase pottery being made live. A third is still available to rent.
“We’re deeply grateful to the Unitarian Church for partnering with us on this project—especially during their 300th anniversary year—as we work together to foster a space that brings positivity, inclusion, and opportunity to our city,” Allard said.
The cottages rent for $500 a month and are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are open to non-profit groups, students, small businesses and other local groups, but not to vendors selling items that would compete with nearby shops.
“There will be no candles sold in the cottages,” Allard said.
The chamber also donated one cottage to PITA Hall on Plum Island for storage of emergency equipment and supplies.
Anyone interested in leasing a cottage or exploring what’s inside is invited to visit the Cottages on Pleasant Street. Applications are on the chamber’s website.
