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The Sweetest Gem of Store with a Purpose in Baltimore, Maryland

Writer's picture: Bea FenzelBea Fenzel

After a delightful Thanksgiving dinner with family, I was very excited to go shopping like everyone else, but in a much different setting and time. I wasn't interested in visiting the big box stores at 4 am. This holiday season, my focus is on shopping at local, small stores with a purpose. I must admit, I did stop by Hobby Lobby to pick up some clear bags for our giveaway at the Shop Small at Artesian and Vintage Market at the Tin Can this Saturday, November 30, from 10 am to 3 pm at 1008 Main Street, Fallston, MD. I would love to see you there. Alright, I'm veering off topic. Here's the name of the delightful store: Scrape B-More, situated at 913 W. Barre Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, in the charming Historic Pigtown. It's nestled on a quaint street, away from the bustling Martin Luther King Highway.


Here is some history captured from their website. SCRAP B-More launched in July 2016, enhancing the vibrant reuse community in Baltimore. Initially located on Charles St in Federal Hill, they relocated to a larger venue on Barre St in the Pigtown neighborhood after three prosperous years. During its first three years, SCRAP B-More redirected 19 tons of materials from the landfill. How did they end up in Baltimore? SCRAP Creative Reuse was established in Portland, OR, in 1998 by teachers seeking a place for their leftover classroom materials. SCRAP USA operates on a sustainable business model of creative reuse service delivery, which can be replicated by any community. Enthusiastic and dedicated creative reusers across the country are adopting this model and starting SCRAPs in their areas. Take note of the creative reuse efforts emerging from Portland, OR, Baltimore, MD, Richmond, VA, and Ann Arbor, MI.


Brittany and I arrived at the store five minutes before it opened at noon. I had a positive, warm feeling about this place, which proved to be true. Upon entering, two charming ladies greeted us and offered a brief history and tour of a well-organized space filled with creative supplies and inspiration, truly igniting my creativity. Everything was spotlessly clean, well-arranged, and clearly labeled. We found sections for Architecture/Design, Artist Supplies, Collage & Scrapbooking, Containers, Craft Supplies, Fabric, and Notions. Gift Wrap & Party Supplies, Holiday, Jewelry & Beads, Magazines, Mat Board, Framing, Sign Making, Media/Tech, Metal, Office Supplies, Paper, Plastic, Vintage, Wood, and much more. I picked up two lovely bags assembled with various ephemera for projects. My finds also included vintage fabric, paint brushes, vintage wood spools, ribbon, vintage jewelry, fat quarters, vintage wood alpha blocks, and more. Brittany found some excellent art books, fabric, and bought a mystery bag focused on the color purple, which she loved when we got home to open and explore everything. They also offer a section for a $5.00 and $10.00 Fill a Bag. The art kits for kids are essential for any home.


We spent an hour in the store, and I am certain I could have easily stayed for another hour. This place also provides creative classes, which you can find on their website. https://baltimore.scrapcreativereuse.org/


Walking out of the store with a bag of goodies and a content heart, I felt thankful knowing our shopping had made a difference. The $66.00 I spent was truly worth every penny. It's the little things, not the grand gestures, that fill us with hope and bring smiles to our faces, keeping the world turning.



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