The Cottage Market blends community, philanthropy

SANDPOINT — Dannette Carnegie wasn’t sure what the future of the Cottage Market would look like this year, but when those in her community insisted that it was an asset to the area, she took action. 

The Cottage Market — originally started by Carnegie and her husband, Bradley — combines community, creativity and philanthropic efforts in Bonner County to create a place for people to come together and support each other. 

Their organization has no consistent location — instead, it allows local vendors to come together to create various sales opportunities in Bonner County at different locations and businesses depending on the season. Last year, they held markets at Farmin Park and the Sandpoint Senior Center. Through the markets, Dannette said they were able to help parents raise money to send their children to college and assist the elderly and those with fixed incomes pay medical bills. 

“[We] even had three kid entrepreneurs start their first lemonade stands to buy their first bikes,” she said. 

The Carnegies both share strong ties to Bonner County and the people that have helped make it what it is. Dannette’s story begins when she was brought into the world under an old pine tree in Samuels, Idaho, she said. Similarly, her husband’s family has been in the area for over five generations. 

“Originally, I started the market for my husband who struggles with limited mobility due to a life-long degenerative disease that hinders access to a regular nine-to-five job,” she said. “Now we realize small businesses need help to stay alive during these trying times … Our goal was to create an affordable, accessible and flexible marketplace for our community.” 

Following their successful first year, the director of the Sandpoint Senior Center contacted the Carnegies about holding the market at the facility to bring awareness to the center’s facilities and the services they provide, as well as show that they are a venue available to the public, Dannette said. They got to work collaborating in order to create a holiday-themed market for small businesses and local creatives to gain exposure. 

“Me and my husband always say we are just people helping people,” she said. The markets were a success, and have inspired similar events for the upcoming year. 

This month, the Cottage Market had planned to partner with the Magpie Thrift Store on Highway 200 to help bring awareness to their business. Carnegie had hoped that she could help prevent the thrift shop from going out of business. However, Magpie announced on April 10 that it will be

closing it’s doors. Carnegie said this will not affect their plans, but now proceeds will help the store pay off other remaining expenses. 

“Our spring event still will be at the Magpie every Saturday from April 27 until May 18th,” she said. “Our summer market will be our second annual market at Farmin Park and will run as scheduled from May 26 until August 25.” 

The market will also be sponsoring the Sandpoint Teen Center this summer to showcase the organization’s efforts within the community — giving teenagers a safe space where they can have warm meals, fun games and connect with mentors to help guide them into adulthood, she said. They will also be sponsoring the food bank later this year. 

“The Cottage Market is forever rooting for the underdog and the little guy, and we do what we can to connect people with their community,” she said. 

Earlier this year, Dannette considered not running the market, but supporters made their voices heard. 

“The people had insisted that it was needed and stepped up to make it possible,” she said. “Without the help and support of the Cottage Market vendors, our second year would not be possible, but because of their collective efforts, not only will the Cottage Market see a second year, but we are able to help so many people by doing so.” 

This year, many vendors will be returning to the markets, including Evo View Gardens, the Confectionary Chalet, Beads of Life, Rhythm and Rags, Jay Mock Custom Wood Combs, Granny’s Fudge Shack, Home to Soul Bakery, Clinton Eveland’s Authentic Handcrafted Knives and Spears and others. 

“When we gather, it is like a reunion and we often refer to ourselves as ‘the Cottage Market family,’” she said. “This year, we hope to see that family grow even bigger. With a lot of small brick and mortar businesses going out of business, we are their safety net to give them a stage and access to the economy. This is true for Baby and Me, and Natalie Thompson’s All Natural Bath and Beauty. This year, we are sponsoring non-profits as well in the effort to connect people with programs in our community that will help them meet their needs and reach their full potential.”