Homemade and Hands On

The backdrop for Ripley’s brand is homemade and hands on.  Ripley needs to embrace the unique role that they have the potential to play - offering visitors an opportunity to experience some of the best local artisans and crafters – HANDS ON.  Many communities have local artisans but few offer the opportunity for people to get their hands dirty by actually participating alongside the artist.  Dalton Pottery and the Glass Hummingbird have seized this market niche by offering classes – a participatory experience to those that travel to their stores. 

The opportunity to take classes and learn the trade offers a unique perspective on the traditional artisan model.  Typically, whenever you go to an art studio, gallery or museum, you can’t touch anything.  The opposite is true for the crafters in Ripley.  Come in and experience, engage and learn the craft!

The key to Ripley’s approach needs to be HOMEMADE.  The focus of the hands on experience needs to be learning the traditional, rural culture.  Quilting, knitting, pickling, butter and candle making are all examples of the traditional cores skills that are experiencing resurgence.  Imagine a program like the Southampton art school that focused on traditional rural skills.  This in addition to the stained glass, wood working, pottery, painting and welding will put Ripley on the map.

All too often, communities get stuck promoting the place and not the activities.  Visitors are far too interested in things to do than in the actual location.  People will travel farther to participate than to visit a quaintly named town that sounds a lot like quaint small towns closer to their homes.  Make the experience tangible for your customers.

The more Ripley has to offer, the longer people will stay. And the more likely they will be to return.  Sell the experience and people will flock to downtown Ripley.