The mission of CivMix has been built on giving community voices and news a platform. From the daily “Rise and Shine” updates to our “CivMix Voices” blog, we want to make sure that you know not only what is happening in the #518 but also meet some of the individuals that are involved and invested in our great community. Contributor Alyssa Lotmore will be highlighting some of those individuals in our new “CivMixer Spotlight” series.
CivMixer Spotlight: Tamara White
Local, handmade home decor, art, fashion, food, and gifts… it is great to shop local. There are many wonderful artists in the area, and stores like Lark Street Mercantile are the homes for some of these local artists. Customers can enter the store and see an array of different handcrafted products. Tamara White began as a vendor at the store, selling her handmade sewn pieces. However, now she is the owner and helps to have creations by local makers easily accessible to members of the community. Meet Tamara.
Q: You are the owner of Albany’s Lark Street Mercantile and the Bell House Project in Troy. You also create upcycled and original hand crafted designs. Tell us a little bit about how you got into creating your own designs and being a business owner.
A: I’ve been a maker since I can remember, creating tiny little outfits for my Barbie dolls, and I studied design in college, then worked as an alterations specialist for many years at companies including Nordstrom. After that I worked for over a decade as a prototyper and concept developer for a company called BOA making footwear fit and closure solutions. I then decided it was time to take the plunge into working on my own designs full time. That’s when I started Jovilla White, my sewing and design (and now alterations and repair too) business. I make home and fashion goods, and I like to incorporate up cycled fabrics when I can. I also love to fix things and give them a new life, whether it’s replacing a zipper on a jacket or making a dress shirt into a pillow.
I was a vendor at Lark Street Mercantile when it opened and worked in the shop often, then I had the opportunity to take ownership when the previous owners moved. I loved the concept of a bunch of makers sharing a space and building their businesses together. I’m amazed at what people create and it keeps me inspired to keep pushing myself to create. My third business, The Bell House Project, is based out of my converted church home in Troy. My husband and I felt the space was a perfect place for creating and gathering, so we rent the main area out to groups needing a space, including figure drawing and yoga groups. We have a longer term vision for The Bell House Project, including incorporating our baked goods and art into a cool cafe/gallery/market type idea. Juggling multiple businesses is kind of chaotic, but I’m best when I’m challenged. Who knows what’s next!
Q: Do you have a favorite product that you like to create? If so, what makes that so special to you?
A: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I still like to make face masks. When the pandemic hit, in between making donation masks, I designed my own mask, called the Contour Face Mask. I worked to make it fit well and also look nice. I’ve made many thousands at this point, and while I make fewer these days, I still enjoy the process and making something so utilitarian into a part of someone’s look that they feel good about. Face masks also helped launch my business. I had just started an online store in 2020, and suddenly I had a hundred orders stacked up. It was busy but kept me occupied and feeling like I was contributing in a way to getting through this.
Q: Lark Street Mercantile is a must stop shop on Lark Street. It includes an array of locally-made products from different vendors. What can people expect to find when they stop in?
A: We have a great variety of handcrafted goods! You can find home goods such as candles, cutting boards, coasters, oven mitts, mugs, glasses, fresh plants and flowers; lots of decor including original art, prints, pillows, wooden and textile wall art, sun catchers, pottery; bath and wellness products like soaps, lotions, tinctures and balms; lots of jewelry – something for nearly every style!- and other accessories and clothing, like t-shirts, bags, hats, and hair accessories. We also have a small market section called Daily Provisions at the Mercantile, where we sell regional meats, cheeses, snacks, sauces, spreads and locally baked goods. Lastly, I offer alterations and repairs, as well as custom sewing, for clothing, shoes, home goods and more! The best part about our store is there’s always something new, so you never know what you’ll discover.
Q: Why is a shop like Lark Street Mercantile, one that celebrates art created by a variety of local makers, so important to have in the community?
A: It’s important to make it easy for people in the community to shop local. We heard a lot, especially during the holidays, that people want to buy unique, handmade gifts, and it’s even more special when they’re made by people in their neighborhood and surrounding area. I think it literally brings life to the community. It gives artists a place and way to show people in person what they offer. It makes the neighborhood a destination and helps bring business to the area. It connects lots of people: artists network amongst each other, neighbors discover artists who can do custom work for them and neighbors meet new neighbors in the store! It’s a true example of growing and serving a community.
Q: Center Square is a gem of Albany. What are three things you love about that neighborhood, or even Albany in general?
A: Center Square is absolutely beautiful, with amazing architecture and parks, and it’s a wonderful place to walk around.
I love the eclectic feel of this little place in the middle of the city.
I like that Albany is big enough to offer lots of opportunity and small enough to feel like a community.
