Inspiring Conversations with Peri Bolts of Eclectic CO.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peri Bolts. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Eclectic CO. began in November of 2018 as an idea– a cooperative retail space that houses and supports small, local businesses. To foster community and keep costs low, vendors at Eclectic CO. contribute hours working the space– this small detail became the crux of our business. There are so many opportunities for connection, learning, and creativity to grow in a space this full of passionate makers. Since 2018, we have grown to 3 stores (Downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City, and a 6 month pop-up at Aspen Grove in Littleton), an online store, 120+ artists and vendors, and deep roots in our communities. While I started Eclectic CO. on my own, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredible help from the very beginning. Ani Barrington, who joined the co-op with her vintage business, Two Wolves Vintage, became store manager and then eventually my full business partner. Together, we continue to dream and vision for the ways that we can continue to support small business in new and profound ways. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a road full of ups and downs. While it was unbelievably challenging to run a small business during the height of the pandemic, our strength was in numbers. Being in a tight-knit community of fellow small business owners all having the same challenges really made a huge difference in our experience. There was such a need for what we were doing and the space that we were providing for small businesses that we opened our Old Colorado City location in November 2020– the pandemic provided the perfect opportunity for many people to pursue or recommit to their creative businesses. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Eclectic CO.?
When you visit an Eclectic CO. or shop in our online store, you are directly interacting with and supporting a real creative in your community. Every day, there are multiple artists working in our spaces that are so invested in making a customer’s day, fostering community, celebrating the diversity of our community, and so much more. Because of this hyper-local approach, you can often get items custom-made, or become acquaintances or friends with the person that made your item with their two hands. In addition to handmade items, we also prioritize ethically made, environmentally conscious, and social-impact goods. What this means is that you can find quality vintage and pre-loved goods, Fair Trade products, and products that give back to social causes. We believe that business should be more than a transactional relationship– it can really be a vehicle for good. In fact, in 2021, we won the National Institute for Social Impact’s award for Social Impact Startup of the Year, something we are extremely proud of! 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
At various points in my life, I have been an avid rock climber, most notably when I was on a traveling team at 9 years old. 

Contact Info:

• Email: peri@shopeclecticco.com
• Website: www.shopeclecticco.com
• Instagram: @eclecticco._

Image Credits:
Lauren McKenzie
DJ Photography