New Location for Paper and Clay
Paper and Clay's new location at 837 Main Street
Paper and Clay, a new favorite on the Melrose arts scene, has entered a new phase by moving into a brand new space on Main Street.
Paper and Clay is an artists’ co-op, gift shop, and gallery that first opened on West Emerson Street in 2023. In January, they moved to their new location on Main Street. On Thursday, April 4th at 4 pm, they will host a Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting celebrating their new space.
Lesley Keegan, owner of Paper and Clay
Their new location has more space for displaying the huge variety of gifts they have on sale, as well as a pottery studio and space for hosting events. Lesley Keegan, the shop’s owner, (who also makes some of the pottery sold in the shop) says that it’s been a challenge to restore the foot traffic they had at their location on West Emerson Street, but she loves the visibility of being on Main Street.
While Paper and Clay is a gift shop and a business, Keegan loves that people come into the new space just to hang out. The space “brings people together in community,” she says, so visitors “can see what their neighbors are making.” This is why, she says, she made sure to include the word “gallery” in the sign out front: so people know they can just come in and appreciate the art at the shop without buying something, although, she says, usually “people find something they have to have” and come away with new items and gifts they love.
One of many nooks and crannies filled with art and gifts at Paper and Clay's new location
Keegan is especially excited to have outdoor space in the new location for upcoming artisan markets, allowing Paper and Clay to engage even more with the community by hosting events right on Main Street. A glance at Paper and Clay’s event calendar reveals all sorts of community events: yoga, pottery date night, sound baths, and more, and it seems that the new space will accommodate a variety of exciting new offerings.
The front window at Paper and Clay
“I just let things happen,” Keegan says, reflecting on her transition from artist to business owner. “I just see what happens.” The Melrose community is certainly looking forward to seeing what happens at Paper and Clay in their new location!
Visit Paper and Clay at 837 Main Street. Open Tuesdays 3-7pm, Thursdays 12-5pm, Fridays 12-5pm, Saturdays 10-5pm, and at other times by appointment. Their events calendar can be found here.
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