How It Works

Joining the Golden Artisan Co-op is designed to be simple, transparent, and supportive of independent artists.

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Apply

Click here to complete a Vendor Agreement, and send it to goldenartisancoop@gmail.com. All products are reviewed to ensure they meet our handmade standards and align with the store.

Get Approved
If it’s a good fit, you’ll be approved to join.

Set Up Your Products
Submit your official inventory, receive your barcodes, and stock your space in-store.

Sell in Store
We handle staffing, sales, and day-to-day operations so you can focus on creating.

Get Paid
Sales are tracked and paid out monthly, with full reporting so you can monitor performance.

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Why We Chose a Rental Model

At Golden Artisan Co-op, our goal has always been to create a retail space that truly works for artists and makers. After operating under a traditional commission model, we found that a rental-based system provides better value, more transparency, and greater earning potential for most vendors.

Rather than taking a percentage of every sale, we charge a fixed monthly rental fee and vendors keep 100% of their sales.

More of Your Sales Stay With You

Many gift shops, galleries, and consignment stores charge between 30% and 40% commission, with 40% being very common in the handmade retail industry.

Under a commission model, the more successful you are, the more you pay the store.

Under our rental model, your costs remain predictable, and as your sales grow, you keep the benefit of that growth.

Rental vs. 40% Commission

Display Size                 Monthly Rent                     Equivalent Sales at 40% Commission

Small (1 ft)                    $65                                      $163

Medium (2 ft)               $120                                    $300

Large (3 ft)                    $175                                    $438

Full (4 ft)                       $225                                    $563

For example, a vendor renting a Small Display for $65/month reaches the equivalent cost of a 40% commission store after selling just $163 worth of product.

Every sale beyond that point means more money stays in your pocket.

At $480 in monthly sales:

• A store charging 40% commission would keep $192

• A vendor renting a Small Display would pay only $65

That's a difference of $127 per month.

As sales increase, the savings become even more significant.

Monthly Sales                 Cost at 40% Commission                     Cost in Small Display

$480                                 $192                                                        $65

$960                                 $384                                                        $65

$1,440                              $576                                                        $65

The more you sell, the more the rental model works in your favour.

Our move to 521 9th Avenue North places Golden Artisan Co-op in the heart of Golden's downtown core, providing increased visibility and foot traffic for all vendors.

The results have already been remarkable.

Think of It Like a Market Booth

We understand that a monthly rental fee can feel intimidating at first.

However, many artists regularly pay for market booths that cost anywhere from $50 to $150 or more for a single day or weekend event.

Our displays provide:

• A permanent retail presence

• Professional staffing

• Seven-day-a-week selling opportunities

• Prime downtown exposure

• Inventory tracking and reporting

• No requirement to personally attend sales

Instead of paying for one event, you're investing in a storefront that works for you every day of the month.

Why This Model Benefits Artists

We've found that a rental model encourages vendors to actively participate in their own success by:

• Restocking regularly

• Refreshing displays

• Introducing new products

• Tracking what customers are responding to

This creates a more engaging shopping experience and helps vendors maximize sales.

It also ensures that display space remains active and productive. In a traditional commission environment, products can sometimes sit untouched for months because there is no financial incentive to update or improve the display.

With a rental model, vendors are more likely to keep their spaces fresh and well-stocked. If a product line is no longer working, vendors can adjust their offerings, resize their space, or move on. Creating opportunities for new artists to join the co-op and keeping the store exciting for customers.

Built for Artists

We know this model can feel different from traditional consignment, and we understand that paying rent instead of commission may seem like a bigger commitment.

However, the numbers consistently show that active vendors keep substantially more of their earnings under a rental model than they would under a typical 40% commission structure.

Our goal is simple:

Lower fees.

More control.

More earnings.

More opportunities for local artists.

Golden Artisan Co-op was built by artists, for artists. Our rental model is designed to create a thriving creative community where makers can grow their businesses, keep more of what they earn, and benefit from a vibrant downtown retail presence.

Good to Know

• Placement is based on availability and overall store layout

• Vendors select their rental tier, but placement is curated by management

• Pantry displays are reserved for approved consumable vendors

• We will provide the Slatwall displays and accessories 

• Display setups can be customized using approved accessories

• Vendors may request tier changes based on availability

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