Women’s Cultural Co-Op
Women’s contribution to the culture of daily life is at the forefront of the StarkLight Recreation Society. We encourage all our members to explore the ancient and time-tested tips, tricks and techniques our ancestresses used to improve and beautify our lives- from food preservation techniques, to laundry additives, upcycled and recycled household goods, to fine works of fibre, paint and pottery arts, womens’ cultural history is the focus of our Co-op Initiative.
The StarkLight Recreation Society funded and operated a brick-and-mortar Women’s Co-op in Enderby, B.C. in late 2019-2020, where women managed, operated and staffed a cafe, restaurant and boutique featuring handmade food products using traditional recipes and hand-crafted products.
Due to challenges related to real estate and leasing in Enderby, the Co-op was forced to pivot back to a fully online multi-platform network. The online Co-op features the same beautiful, singular handicrafts, artisan products and services, available through referral and on well-known platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, Amazon and eBay.
Women from all walks of life are encouraged to take part in our co-op, featuring sales space, recipe showcases and restaurant sales- all of which encourage financial independence and business development.
We focus on the micro-business model, which is used in developing countries to allow women to develop their own buying power independent of family units. By encouraging women in small communities to get in touch with their cultural heritage as well as developing skills for modern day life, the SRS is helping to encourage women to find their footing in today, by learning about their pasts.
The SRS offers a complete range of support services for women who participate in the co-op so that they can go from a part-time crafting hobby to a full-time business featuring learned skills and techniques from the past, which gives women pride of accomplishment as well as pride of heritage. We encourage women to develop their own brand, learn about marketing skills and develop their traditional knowledge in ways that are in demand in today’s marketplace.
While we are not able to provide brick-and-mortar orientation and training at this point, the SRS offers complete online store and marketing setup and support.
The SRS is currently examining properties in Salmon Arm, Sicamous and Kelowna for its new brick-and-mortar location. We encourage interested parties to contact us at info@starklightrecreation.space for updates on this new development.
You can contact us at info@starklightrecreation.space for more information on our online women’s co-op marketplace. We will assist you in getting your products online and will share them through our network of members, member-based stores, and social media networks.
From our green power initiatives to our commitment to zero-carbon product developments, the SRS is fully committed to developing a sustainable, long-term, low-footprint women’s initiative in the southern interior of BC.
The SRS supports the Women’s Co-op through funding management, business oversight and, most of all, proudly protecting its Safe Space commitment for women and vulnerable members of our society… ensuring that all people have a space to explore cultural hobbies and crafts, and to share their wares in a supportive environment.
Original Post June 2020
Updated Jan 2020.
Update: Jan 2021
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, brick-and-mortar location search has been temporarily suspended. Contact us at info@starklightrecreation.space to join our online members’ selling network.
Update: May 2021
The SRS is proud to support the Enderby & District Arts Council’s Art Emporium, a pilot-project of its Community Arts Center initiative. You can read more about their drive for a community arts centre here, as well as apply for membership in the brick-and-mortar location here.
The SRS will be referring local sellers to the EDAC Art Emporium and helping to subsize any membership costs for our SRS members – part of our continued commitment to helping the valuable contributions of women artisans reach the world.