In fall 2021, Stacey Hammer and Heather Luxenberg opened Locally Crafted to showcase handmade goods from local makers. Their mission was to create a bridge between the many creative small businesses in the D.C. area and customers looking for unique, high-quality products.

Locally Crafted flourished, and began hosting indoor and outdoor markets throughout the year, connecting even more makers and shoppers. In 2024, after more than two years in temporary storefronts, Locally Crafted found its permanent home in a cozy space in the Rio center. The new store is the perfect place to showcase items made by Locally Crafted’s vibrant community of makers. But it’s too small to host the classes and parties that customers were clamoring for. So, in fall 2024, Stacey and Heather partnered with Becky Sher, a maker in the original store, to introduce Locally Crafted Workshop, a craft classroom, party venue and community event space just down the shopping center’s main street.

Opening in January 2025, Locally Crafted Workshop makes creativity easy. There’s no need to spend time running from store to store collecting supplies, or downloading instructions for a hobby that looks interesting. No worries about cleaning up paint spills or picking up hundreds of beads that were accidentally knocked from the table. Parties are an enjoyable celebration, not another long to-do list. Here, it’s easy for kids, teens and adults to do something they may never have tried on their own. Best of all, LCW gathers the large community of makers that Stacey and Heather built in the original store to create a roster of inspiring instructors for classes and workshops.

But Stacey, Heather and Becky also knew that LCW could be even more than a craft classroom. Its large, flexible floor plan makes it the perfect spot for meetings, lectures, mixers and more. LCW aims to become a community gathering space where groups can find an affordable, convenient venue for any activity they’re planning.