What SEATTLE RECREATIVE does

Seattle ReCreative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creative reuse center headquartered in Seattle, Washington, operating two retail storefronts in the Greenwood (8408 Greenwood Ave N, since January 2015) and Georgetown (6521 5th Ave S, since June 2023) neighborhoods. The organization collects donated art and craft materials that would otherwise end up in landfills and redistributes them through retail sales at low prices, alongside a comprehensive slate of arts education programming. Core products include the creative reuse retail store (selling donated yarn, fabric, paper, fine art supplies, jewelry supplies, frames, building materials, and vintage ephemera), children's and adult classes, summer camps for ages 4-10 ($375/camper), birthday parties ($290-$330), Parents' Night Out ($300-$415), field trips, outreach workshops, room rentals ($75-$125/hour), and an eBay online storefront for materials that do not sell in-store. An Art Gallery/Artist Marketplace runs on consignment with monthly rotating exhibitions by artists working with reclaimed materials.

The business model is multi-stream and transaction-based: retail sales, educational program fees, event rentals, and tax-deductible financial donations from individuals and organizations supporting the "More than a Store" campaign. A Free for Teachers and BIPOC Artist Program, sponsored by 4Culture and the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, distributes donated materials at no cost to public school teachers and underrepresented artists. Revenue is supplemented by grants from 4Culture, the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and the Windermere Foundation. Pricing is predominantly pay-as-you-go, with sliding scale options for Open Studio classes enabled by cultural funding.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, built on partnerships with Seattle Public Schools, Seattle and King County Public Libraries, major museums (Seattle Art Museum, MoPOP, MOHAI, Pacific Science Center), neighborhood associations (Phinney Neighborhood Association), and arts organizations (Taproot Theater, Bureau of Fearless Ideas, Boys & Girls Club of North Seattle). Over 100 volunteers and 3,758 volunteer hours (as of 2015) support material processing and programming. Customer segments span families with children, individual artists and crafters, educators, BIPOC artists, environmental advocates, and nonprofit/community groups. Marketing relies on the website, email newsletter, organic social (Facebook), community referrals, online event calendars, press releases, and word of mouth. Seattle ReCreative is led by Executive Director and Co-founder Jenna Boitano and Programs Director Lise Bengson, with a Board chaired by Jamie Bartalamay.

Name

SEATTLE RECREATIVE

Legal name

Seattle ReCreative

Website

https://seattlerecreative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Seattle ReCreative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creative reuse center operating two Seattle retail storefronts that sell donated art and craft materials and deliver arts education programming for families, artists, educators, and community groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Reuse and Community Art Education

NAICS

Used Merchandise Retailers (459510), Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Retailers (4594), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

General Arts & Crafts Supplies Retail (CRALACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI), DIY Craft Kits & Project Kits Retail (CRALACAH)

Keywords

• Creative reuse center
• Art education programs
• Community art center
• Donated craft materials
• Environmental sustainability arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales: Sale of donated creative materials (yarn, fabric, paper, art supplies, office supplies, jewelry supplies, etc.) at low prices to community members. Materials are donated by individuals and businesses.
2. Educational Programs: Fees from summer camps ($375/camper), after-school classes, adult workshops, field trips, and outreach workshops. Includes art-making with donated recycled materials.
3. Event Rentals: Revenue from birthday party bookings ($290-$330), parents' night out ($300-$415), and room rentals ($75-$125/hour).
4. Financial Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting the 'More than a Store' campaign for financial stability.
5. Online Sales: Sales through eBay online store for materials not sold in physical locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Seattle ReCreative operates a nonprofit creative reuse retail store and community art center that collects donated art, craft, fabric, and office materials from individuals and businesses and resells them at low prices, while offering fee-based arts education programming including summer camps, children's and adult classes, field trips, birthday parties, parents' night out, room rentals, and outreach workshops. Operations span two Seattle locations (Greenwood and Georgetown), an eBay online store, and a free materials program for public school teachers and BIPOC artists.

Product overview

Seattle ReCreative is a non-profit creative reuse center and community art center operating as a single integrated organization. The core offering consists of a Creative Reuse Retail Store that sells donated art and craft materials, complemented by comprehensive arts education programs including children's classes, adult workshops, and summer camps. Additional offerings include field trips, birthday parties, Parents' Night Out, room rentals, and outreach workshops. The organization supports the community through material donations acceptance, a Free for Teachers/BIPOC Artist Program, and an online eBay store. All programs are unified by the mission to promote creativity, community, and environmental stewardship through creative reuse and arts education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Creative Reuse Retail Store Retail store at Greenwood and Georgetown locations selling donated creative materials including yarn, fabric, paper, fine art supplies, jewelry supplies, frames, mat board, paper crafting supplies, greeting cards, gift wrap, wood, metal, tile, plastic, office supplies, and vintage ephemera at low prices. For families, individual artists, crafters, educators, and the general public.
• Summer Camps Week-long summer day camps for children ages 4-10 focused on creative reuse and art education, running Monday-Friday 9am-1pm at Greenwood and Georgetown locations. Offerings include Create Like the Greats Jr., Rainbow Creations, Fantasy Forest, Sailing the Creative Seas, and Story Crafters. Priced at $375 per camper with optional aftercare add-on at $175 and sibling discount at $345.
• Children's Classes Art classes for children emphasizing process-oriented, explorative art making with creative reuse materials. Offerings include Open Studio Hours, Trash to Treasure, After-School Trash to Treasure, and Art Band workshops. For children and families.
• Adult Classes Workshops for adults and teens offering opportunities to explore new mediums and creative activities with donated materials. Offerings include Printmaking Workshop, Hearts and Crafts, Crafting Hour with a PaperWitch, Get Your Scrap Together, Fiber Circle, and Art Is Protest. Some classes use sliding scale pricing (e.g., Open Studio $10-$20) thanks to 4Culture funding.
• Field Trips Creative Reuse 101 Field Trips for K-8 student groups at the Georgetown location. Two-hour programs covering creative reuse education, the complete reuse cycle, and hands-on art projects. Minimum 10 students, maximum 22. Pricing via Square invoice. For schools and educational groups.
• Birthday Parties Art-themed birthday party packages at Greenwood and Georgetown locations. Greenwood offers drop-off parties for up to 10 artists ages 6+ at $290 for 2 hours. Georgetown offers family-inclusive parties for up to 12 child artists plus up to 30 guests at $330 for 2 hours. Both include private room reservation and teacher-led art activity. $50 non-refundable deposit required.
• Parents' Night Out Childcare service for parents to enjoy evenings out. Accommodates up to 10 children ages 4+ with art making, creative play, and take-home materials. 2-hour option at $300, 3-hour option at $415. Includes two instructors, art activities, and materials to take home. $50 non-refundable deposit.
• Room Rentals Space rentals for private events, self-hosted classes, and gatherings at Greenwood and Georgetown art rooms. Georgetown room accommodates up to 30 people; weekend first-hour $125 plus $65/hour additional, weekday first-hour $100 plus $50/hour additional. Greenwood room accommodates up to 10 people; weekend first-hour $100 plus $50/hour additional, weekday first-hour $75 plus $40/hour additional. First-hour non-refundable deposit.
• Outreach Workshops On-site creative reuse workshops at Greenwood and Georgetown for groups including libraries, schools, and community organizations. Offerings include Paint Playground, Sparkle Party, Make-a-Friend, Recycled Robots, Junk Jam Band, Puppet Pals, Mini Homes, Book Club, Cardboard Marble Runs, Printmaking, Origami, Creative Reuse Challenge, and Junk Journaling. Pricing ranges from $300 to $525 depending on location, duration, and audience.
• Free for Teachers/BIPOC Artist Program Free materials distribution program providing donated materials including yarn, scrapbook paper, cardboard tubes, poker chips, bottle caps, and more to public school teachers and Black, Indigenous, and Artists of Color. Sponsored by 4Culture and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
• Material Donations Program Accepts donations of usable art and craft materials by appointment only, including yarn, fabric, jewelry supplies, fine arts supplies, office supplies, building supplies, and more. Donated materials are processed and resold in the retail store to fund arts programming.
• Gift Certificates Electronic gift certificates available for purchase via Square, redeemable for classes or retail store materials at Seattle ReCreative.
• Art Gallery / Artist Marketplace Gallery space in the retail store featuring monthly exhibitions by artists using reclaimed or unconventional materials. Artists operate under consignment agreements with month-long shows.
• Online Store (eBay) Online sales platform via eBay (ebay.com/str/seattlerecreative) for creative reuse materials, reaching customers beyond the physical store locations.
• Material Donations for Fundraisers Curated material donation packages for nonprofits, schools, and community groups for fundraising events. Options include a gift basket ($25 value), gift certificate ($25), combination ($40), or Early Artists Weekday Paint Play Pass ($60 value).

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 60 tons of materials diverted from waste stream in 2015
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ballard ReusecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural salvage partner. When donors give building materials to Ballard Reuse, a portion of proceeds goes to Seattle ReCreative. Also direct referral for building materials donations that are too large for ReCreative's space. History: former RE Store employees founded Ballard Reuse after RE Sources closed Seattle location in 2014.
• Bureau of Fearless IdeasminorOthersCommunity partner supporting youth arts and education programs.
• ChocolatiminorOthersLocal business community partner in Greenwood neighborhood.
• Emerald City KarateminorOthersLocal business community partner in Greenwood neighborhood.
• Greenbean Coffee HouseminorOthersLocal business community partner.
• Lagunitas BreweryminorOthersCommunity partner, taproom location.
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, museum for pop culture arts and education.
• Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, museum for regional history and industry.
• Pacific Science MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, science museum providing educational programming.
• Phinney Neighborhood AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore community partner, neighborhood association supporting community programs and events in Phinney Ridge/Greenwood area.
• Pocket TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, local theater.
• Ruben's BrewsminorOthersLocal brewery community partner in Ballard area.
• Seattle Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, major art museum in Seattle.
• Taproot TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, local theater company.
• Vibrant PaletteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.
• Seattle Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district providing access to students for field trips and free materials program for teachers.
• Seattle Public LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner, outreach workshops at library locations.
• Sustainable BallardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner focused on sustainability initiatives.
• Seattle Parks & RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for parks and recreation programming.
• Boys & Girls Club of North SeattleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services organization, community partner.
• Greenwood Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts advocacy organization for Greenwood neighborhood.
• Hunger Intervention ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner addressing food insecurity, collaboration on community programs.
• King County Public LibrariescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty library system partnership for community outreach and programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Scrap Exchange: Durham, NC-based creative reuse center selling donated art/craft materials and running arts programming. Seattle ReCreative's co-founder Jenna Boitano previously served on its board, making it a direct lineage peer with the same hybrid retail/education/diverted-waste model.
• reCreative Denver: Denver-based creative reuse center with donated-material retail store and arts programming. Operates a near-identical hybrid retail/education/community model and serves as a benchmark for geographic expansion potential.
• SCRAP (School of Creative Reuse): Portland, OR-based nonprofit creative reuse center operating a donated-materials retail store and arts education programs. Closest geographic and conceptual analogue to Seattle ReCreative outside of Seattle.
• Ballard Reuse: Seattle-based nonprofit architectural salvage and reuse store. Direct strategic partner of Seattle ReCreative (donates portion of proceeds); operates an adjacent reuse-retail concept with overlap in mission and material flow.
• Crayons2Calculators: Durham, NC nonprofit that collects and redistributes school and art supplies. Operates the same donated-materials/reuse mission that Seattle ReCreative's co-founder Jenna Boitano previously led, making it a strong functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Blick Art Materials: National retailer specializing in fine art supplies for artists, educators, and students. Overlaps with Seattle ReCreative's retail assortment (fine art supplies, paper, specialty materials) and serves the same individual artists/crafters segment.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: National network of nonprofit resale stores selling donated home goods and building materials to fund housing programs. Operates the broader "nonprofit reuse retail" template that Seattle ReCreative's partner Ballard Reuse follows; comparable as a scaled-up reuse-retail model.
• Michaels Companies: North America's largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, and framing supplies. Overlaps with Seattle ReCreative on customer base (artists, crafters, families) and product category (yarn, fabric, paper, art supplies), but as a commercial for-profit.
• Hobby Lobby: National arts, crafts, and home decor retailer with broad inventory including yarn, fabric, and art supplies. Competitor for the same hobbyist and family customer base, but at commercial scale versus Seattle ReCreative's nonprofit reuse model.

Emerging players

• Pinterest Project Workshops / Maker Spaces: Community makerspaces and DIY workshop venues offering craft and art classes with material access. Overlaps with Seattle ReCreative's adult and children's workshop programming though typically more tool/maker focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/seattlerecreative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seattle-recreative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SEATTLE RECREATIVE