Behind the Scenes at Revive: How a Creative Reuse Store Comes to Life
When you walk into Revive Art & Craft Supply, you’ll encounter bins of buttons, bundles of ribbon, vintage beads, skeins of yarn, and so much more. But what you’re really stepping into is something much bigger: a creative movement rooted in sustainability, community, and imagination.
Revive isn’t just a store. We’d like it to be a local hub for artists, educators, and makers of all kinds who believe in giving materials a second life.
How It All Started: Our Creative Reuse Journey
What if we could keep art supplies out of landfills and make creativity more affordable?
That’s the idea that sparked Revive. We envisioned a store where you can donate unused materials and shop for low-cost treasures. Revive is a space where creativity meets purpose, and all are welcome.
Why Middletown, CT?
We chose Middletown because it’s more than just a central location. It’s a town that celebrates the arts! It’s home to Wesleyan University, Oddfellows Playhouse, CNTR, and so much more, with a tight-knit network of creatives, educators, and community changemakers.
This city is bursting with imagination, and we knew it would embrace the concept of creative reuse.
What You’ll Find at Revive 🧶
Every shelf at Revive is filled with donated and rescued materials—cleaned, organized, and priced affordably. Some of the most popular categories include:
Fabric, thread, and sewing notions
Yarn and knitting/crochet supplies
Scrapbook paper, stamps, and adhesives
Beads, buttons, jewelry findings
Kids’ craft kits and school supplies
Art tools: brushes, canvases, sketchbooks, paints
Vintage ephemera and creative oddities
🎯 All of it comes from generous community donations—and every purchase keeps materials out of landfills.
🎉 Our Grand Opening Celebration – May 16, 2025
We officially opened our doors on Friday, May 16!
Highlights:
A ribbon cutting ceremony with help from the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, who kindly provided the ribbon and scissors.
Cake and cupcakes (from NoRA Cupcake Company) for our guests (because what’s a party without delicious cake?)
Dozens of visitors exploring the store, learning about our mission, and finding creative inspo.
Photo credit: Jacob Harvey
Coming Up Next: Middletown Pride! 🏳️🌈
We’re already prepping for our next big event: Middletown Pride on June 7!
We’ll be open all day and and will be running a free pride-themed crafty activity!
Feeling the con crunch? Check out our event cal, we’re offering a store discount and space for you to finish up your Pride gear Thursday June 5th!
Whether you’re marching, spectating, or just feeling festive—stop by and say hi!
How You Can Get Involved 💬
Here’s how you can help us grow:
✂️ Donate Supplies
Drop off your gently used art and craft materials. Check out our donation guidelines as you gather up your items!
🛍️ Shop Sustainably
Come browse and buy from our ever-changing inventory of affordable, eco-friendly supplies.
🧑🏫 Host a Workshop
Our workshop space is now available to rent for classes, workshops, and craft meet-up. Interested? Fill out a room rental inquiry here.
📣 Spread the Word
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, tell a friend, or tag us in your reuse projects!
Final Thoughts
Revive Art & Craft Supply is just getting started—and we’re so glad you’re part of our story. Together, we can build a more sustainable, creative community—one reused button, fabric scrap, and paintbrush at a time.
