Article and photos by Lauren Rose

Instagram: @Laurenrose.photography

Located on the corner of Pickwick and Cherry Street, The Local Bevy is home to many of the products handmade by artists based here in Springfield. 

Andrea Petersburg, owner of The Local Bevy, established her business in the Rountree neighborhood one year ago this month. Petersburg explained that since all of the Art Shows were cancelled due to COVID-19, she thought this might be the year she opened a storefront. Originally just a three-month pop-up shop, The Bevy has become a successful platform for local creatives, and is here to stay. 

Products sold at the shop include anything from jewelry, pottery, art prints, candles, and greeting cards, to clothing, embroidery, books, woodwork, and macrame items. Most of these products cost between $5-$200.

The Local Bevy gives artists a chance to put their work into the community in a way that is not competitive or just a display. 

“They can set up a table and it’s not a show, there’s no awards being given out, so you (vendors) can shed that competition style mentality and just create,” Petersburg said.  

Petersburg has received positive feedback from her vendors, who say that The Local Bevy is a great way to test how a product/piece will sell before investing in an entire product line. The shop allows artists to explore “other small avenues of things that they can make and bring to their table,” that they otherwise might not have the time or resources to do. 

Several of the vendors give back to local charities and organizations, including the Ozark Greenways and the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. 

“A purchase from The Local Bevy supports me as the owner, the artists individually, and it supports anything else that we donate to or sponsor as a business or individually,” said Peterson. 

Anyone looking for a great gift, a way to support local artists, or just a reason to shop can stop by The Local Bevy on Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10:00am-4:00pm.