GROWING BUSINESS

When photographer Emily Hartinger opened Skull Creek Studio in early March, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. 
Initially, it was an opportunity to open up her photography studio to local artists and designers with unique arts and crafts to sell. For a minimal monthly rent, Hartinger was able to provide a storefront to these other artists, who also stepped up to help her man the store when she was unable to be there. They formed a cooperative for working artists while providing the city with another much-needed shopping option.
The idea took off and now Hartinger is moving across the street into the former Newcastle Hardware building on Nov. 3. She’s also getting ready to nearly double her vendors in this new, much larger space.
Now, Hartinger is gearing up to be extra busy this holiday season with the expansion into the new space.
“I never thought it would turn into this,” Hartinger said, “but I’m having fun with it.”
As a girl growing up on a ranch on Skull Creek Road several miles outside of Newcastle, Hartinger joked that she’s no stranger to hard work, which is what you do to make things work out here. Along with her full-time photography and raising two kids, she’s looking forward to growing this new venture into a viable enterprise. Now, she’ll just need to figure out when to sleep.
“My dad is kinda crazy like that too,” she said with a laugh, “and I obviously take after him.”
The boutique tucked on Main Street a block east of the railroad tracks currently features between 25-30 vendors and will soon grow to 40 with the new move, all of whom add their unique flair, from hand-knitted Pendleton wool mittens, sculptures made from discarded utensils, hand-painted wooden signs and welcome mats, goat milk soaps, clothing, jewelry, wreaths, pottery, beauty products, clothing and more.
The majority of the handcrafts are made by local artists from Newcastle and all the way up to Gillette and Rapid City. These artists, like Hartinger, are entrepreneurs vying for exposure and a way to directly sell their wares beyond their booths or online stores.  
Overall, according to Hartinger, the business model seems to be working.
“The store works as well as it does because I’ve got a great group of vendors that work together to do things,” she said. “They cover working hours, we host special events, and this month we’re all working together to raise money for Wyoming Down Syndrome Association.”
The latter effort is personal for the group of tight-knit artists, who are donating their sales or a portion of them to this association in honor of fellow vendor, Little Deans Goat Haven, who has a new baby born with Down Syndrome. 
Earlier this month, T-shirt artist and soon-to-be new mother MacKenzie Batman was manning the store as she straightened her rack of freshly designed shirts with her trademark cowboy-inspired theme among others. She’ll customize any shirt to order, from adult to children sizes.
Along with Batman’s specially designed shirts, the boutique is more of an art gallery with walls and shelves stuffed with eclectic handmade crafts from birdhouse cottages, candles, bath bombs, hats and cards, and even an assortment of butterfly and dragonfly stalks, along with figurines fashioned out of silverware and horseshoes by couple Neil and Mary Kopp.
“There’s a little bit of everything,” said Batman, who admitted it’s easy to get distracted on the job.
The vendors do not pay commission, but rather pay a modest monthly rent to help keep the doors open. Right now, Hartinger said nobody is getting rich, but they’re making enough to get by, and more importantly get some exposure.
“There are so many people working together,” she said. “This is why it works.”
The real winner here might arguably be the consumer, who along with having local access to unique gifts and products, can also utilize downtown while visiting with family and friends. 
“I’m excited to be bringing this to the people of Newcastle,” she said. “There’s obviously a desire for things that are unique and different, and it’s a great way to support local artists.”  
The grand opening will be on Nov. 3, but in the meantime, the current shop will remain open, and Hartinger invites residents to stop by to see what they’re up to.