It all began in 1992 when I (Sharon LeCrone) got the entrepreneurial itch. A beautiful historic property sat on the corner of Pitt and Juliana Street in downtown Bedford, PA empty and deteriorating. Once the home to a thriving five and dime store called GC Murphies, this property had such potential and I knew it was calling my name.
G.C. Murphy's in the 1950's
A wonderful program in Pennsylvania was in place at the time for the growth and development of historical properties so I was able to purchase the property with some borrowed down payment monies, conventional business loan and a 3% loan through The Progress Fund. With bare minimum working capitol I knew I was not only going to have to work my butt off to make this a go but also be extremely creative with my business plan. I had been working at a local historical tourist attraction "Old Bedford Village" as their merchandise manager for the previous 5 years. There I had the opportunity to work with several local artisans and craftsmen and also did craft shows myself with a line of vintage style clothing accessories. I knew of the need for artisans & craftsmen to have a permanent home to sell their creations without having to relay on the craft show circuit. Craft shows are hit or miss and labor intensive so a permanent home was very appealing to many artisans. Co-ops like we have today just didn't exist at this time and I would like to think our store had something to do with the growth in the industry over the years.
Bedford is the home to a fabulous fall festival that brings upwards to 40,000 visitors a weekend to enjoy the street craft fair, food and entertainment. Those of us who are familiar with the craft show circuit know this is one of those festivals you want to have a booth at. Crowds of people are coming with the full intent to spend some money on quality, unique hand crafted products and those that are fortunate enough to have a craft space do very well. One problem for years however was the demand for spaces always exceed the availability of space. So taking the advise of our late president— Theodore Roosevelt , “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" I offered 50 indoor craft spaces for the Fall Foliage Festival in 1992. From the time of acquisition of the property in August of 1992 to the time of the festival in October I traveled to every craft show within a 2 hour radius of Bedford inviting artisans and craftsmen to set up in our new indoor space. The festival runs for 2 weekend so I allowed the booths to remain set up in our store front for the week while those street vendors had to tear down and reset their booths the following weekend. The thought of indoor spaces was very appealing and thus the birth of Founders Crossing Artisan and Antique Merchant. Not only could these vendors set up and sell for the October weekends, but they could leave their space set up for months at a time and we would act as their selling agent in exchange for a monthly rental fee and commission.
Bedford is the home to a fabulous fall festival that brings upwards to 40,000 visitors a weekend to enjoy the street craft fair, food and entertainment. Those of us who are familiar with the craft show circuit know this is one of those festivals you want to have a booth at. Crowds of people are coming with the full intent to spend some money on quality, unique hand crafted products and those that are fortunate enough to have a craft space do very well. One problem for years however was the demand for spaces always exceed the availability of space. So taking the advise of our late president— Theodore Roosevelt , “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" I offered 50 indoor craft spaces for the Fall Foliage Festival in 1992. From the time of acquisition of the property in August of 1992 to the time of the festival in October I traveled to every craft show within a 2 hour radius of Bedford inviting artisans and craftsmen to set up in our new indoor space. The festival runs for 2 weekend so I allowed the booths to remain set up in our store front for the week while those street vendors had to tear down and reset their booths the following weekend. The thought of indoor spaces was very appealing and thus the birth of Founders Crossing Artisan and Antique Merchant. Not only could these vendors set up and sell for the October weekends, but they could leave their space set up for months at a time and we would act as their selling agent in exchange for a monthly rental fee and commission.
The business grows...and grows...and grows
The business quickly went from occupying just half of the first floor of the property with just artisans and craftsmen to full first floor occupancy also housing area antique and collectible dealers. By year three we opened up the basement level to make a separate antique and collectibles section leaving the first floor for the artisans and craftsmen. By our 10th year in business we had grown to over 150 vendors on 3 stories of the building (Basement, 1st and 2nd floors)and opened a small restaurant in the front of the first floor. The third floor housed a local artists studio and a youth center.
As change and growth happens, now in year #33 our second and third floors have transitioned over the years and now house a mix of Airbnb rentals and apartments.
As change and growth happens, now in year #33 our second and third floors have transitioned over the years and now house a mix of Airbnb rentals and apartments.
2007 Fire
The change in our upper floors came about after we had a total loss on those levels due to this massive fire in 2007.
Sickened doesn't even begin to describe 15 years of hard labor wiped out in a single night.
Founders Crossing, Round Two!!!
A incredible team of staff, vendors, family and friends worked tirelessly to save the beloved Founders Crossing. Fifteen years of business had brought together not just people sharing a space, but a family. We were all determined to bring back our store bigger and better than ever. So we did!!! The days after the fire people doubted that there would be anything left but through the sheer determination to clean up and rebuild by golly, we did it!!!
What a huge relief that we didn't have a total loss and the community was excited to see us open again for business. It took about a year to have the the building put back together. Due to a change in building codes from the time we initially opened until the time of the fire, we were never permitted to open the 2nd and 3rd floors again to the public unless we adhered to a long list of demands that were too costly to ever be feasible. Thus the change to apartments.
CELEBRATING 33 YEARS
Today Founders Crossing, Inc. stands bigger and brighter than ever. We have welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the years that have returned time and time again to shop at our unique marketplace. We are home to 110 different artisans, craftsmen, antiques and collectibles dealers as well as having our own beautiful line of gifts and boutique items.
We are known as the place to shop for unique items, home decorating and gift giving needs as well as a great place to just meet and hang out with friends.
When in the central Pennsylvania area, please do stop in and see us!!!
We are known as the place to shop for unique items, home decorating and gift giving needs as well as a great place to just meet and hang out with friends.
When in the central Pennsylvania area, please do stop in and see us!!!
