The Crafter’s Library faces financial uncertainty in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Andrew Rawls, a local business owner, is celebrating the third year anniversary of his store, The Crafter’s Library, in Santa Barbara.

Rawls started The Crafter’s Library with the hope of making it a community gathering spot. 

Rawls got into crafting during the pandemic, and once the pandemic subsided, he wanted to meet other crafters.

Unfortunately, no shared space existed for the type of crafts he did, such as sewing, macrame and fiber arts.

So, he opened The Crafter’s Library in May of 2021 in hopes of gathering crafters of all types and skill levels. 

Rawls thought his memberships would be the biggest money maker.

Now, he is focused more on retail and classes to keep doors open.

Retail, which is primarily sold to tourists, makes up two thirds of the revenue, while classes and memberships make up one third. 

The business owner said he is working hard to make sure his doors stay open, but high rents and lack of direction for State Street make the future of his business uncertain.

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