Senior Citizens’ Craft Shop: Where everything is handmade

The Senior Citizens’ Craft Shop in the Wimberley Square is unique in a lot of ways.

The concept is that all the products displayed are made by seniors in the Wimberley area. In fact, there’s a map on the wall and sellers of the items must live within the outlined boundaries.

If you buy something at the shop you can be pretty sure it’s a one-of-a-kind creation. Everything is handmade.

The little green shop has been in business since 1986. Jeanne Ann Cope, who oversees the craft shop, points out that it’s the oldest shop in the square with the same owners and has been self-supporting and growing since the beginning.

The idea is pretty simple: A senior citizen — that is anyone 55 or older — joins the craft shop as a member. The dues are $15 a year. The shop then displays products that the member makes. When something sells, the shop takes a 15 percent cut and the person who made the product gets the rest (less sales tax). Members have to work in the shop seven or eight hours a month. Pay checks are distributed once a month.

There are currently 29 members of the shop. The cap is 33. Any more than that and they figure there won’t be enough shelf space to properly display everything.

Of the 29 members, 27 are women and two are men (an author and a wood-burning artist).

The craft store has grown over the years. In 2006 there were fewer than 20 members.

In addition to working a shift a month, members are expected to attend the monthly meeting to plan ahead and deal with any new business.

Place to socialize

The old house was donated by the Roco family in the 1980s as a place for seniors to gather, socialize and display their talents.

“If we ever go out of business, the property goes back to the (Roco) family,” explains Jeanne Ann.

The 15 percent slice of the sales the craft shop keeps, goes toward upkeep of the building and monthly bills for electricity and phone service. The remainder is donated to charities such as Wimberley Crisis Bread Basket food pantry, the Central Texas Children’s Home and local hospice.

The store just started taking credit cards last month. “We were kind of forced into it,” says Jeanne Ann. “Today, everyone uses credit cards.”

With a prime location on the Square, as you might expect, the craft store gets a lot of traffic — especially on the weekends. On a good Saturday, 100 or more people check out the merchandise. The customers are from all over, mostly Texas, but some come from as far away as Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.

The various wedding venues in the area attract a lot of out of towners who have time to shop.

Good reviews

The Facebook reviews tell the story:

“Coolest shop I’ve been in. Hands down. Everything made or adorned by hand, with love.” says one.

“The Senior Citizens’ Craft Shop is the perfect shop for that perfect gift for your loved ones and something for you,” writes another.

The store appeals to shoppers who are looking for something different.

“Some people come here specifically. Others open the door then shut it and walk away. Some customers are young. Some customers are old. Some see the senior citizens sign and pass by,” says Jeanne Ann.

There is something for everyone including children’s and baby items, a large display devoted to handmade jewelry, and books by local author Allan Kimball. The Christmas tree full of hand-crafted ornaments is tucked in the back these days. During the holiday season it will be front and center.

The hottest selling item is Gayle Weir’s glassware hand painted with bluebonnets.

Says Jeanne Ann: “We’re not Walmart, where lots of things are the same. Here, it’s all unique.”