THE SHOP
When you first set foot into elSage Designs’ brick-and-mortar in downtown Mount Vernon, you may already be planning your next visit. The colorful designs and high-quality art are welcoming and mesmerizing. Phoebe Carpenter Eells, the owner and artist at elSage Designs, began selling her art online around 2010, and went full-time in 2012. In the summer of 2019, elSage expanded to the large space they are in now and have been thriving ever since.
Photograph by Chloe Nelson
THE ATMOSPHERE
The most accurate words to describe the visual ambience of elSage Designs are “love,” “intentionality,” and “inclusivity.” Carpenter has done an impeccable job making the space feel like a cozy home, with fun, warm lighting, matching wooden furniture, and exposed brick. Most of the furniture and decor was salvaged and repurposed.
“The vision is how do you stay sustainable, both earth-wise and budget-wise, but also make things look interesting,” says Carpenter, who has thoughtfully arranged the space to be both stimulating and comforting. “People come in and they’re like, ‘It just feels so good in here.’”
Photograph by Chloe Nelson
THE PEOPLE
As is the case with most successful small businesses, elSage prioritizes its relationships with customers. Not only is Carpenter able to create meaningful relationships with customers at her store, but she also connects with the community through elSage’s Valley Made Market. Valley Made is a monthly pop-up market in Mount Vernon that features local handmade goods and live music.
“Valley Made Market is sort of nestled under us, and we’re big about the community vibe … It’s a lot of makers who care about the vibes as much as they care about selling stuff,” says Carpenter, with a proud smile.
Photograph by Chloe Nelson
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
elSage sells everything you could desire: apparel, bandanas, sunglasses, stickers, jewelry, bags, greeting cards, and more.
When creating elSage, Carpenter and her husband, Jonathan Carpenter Eells, wanted to create a space dedicated to shopping small. They screen-print their own work at the back of the store and carry products from over 200 authors, artists, and small businesses. Many of their products are created by people who are underrepresented in the community. To top it off, elSage also does custom design work and screen-printing for local businesses such as farms, vet clinics, restaurants, and firefighters.
From their website, “When stocking the shop, we seek out small businesses who share our ethics regarding environment, social justice, reproductive rights, and equality.”
Photograph by Chloe Nelson
FAVORITES
When asked what some of her favorite things are about her beloved business, Carpenter spoke about community and “choosing her own adventure.”
“I’m so grateful every day for the people who care…I can come up with wild ideas, and there’s always a community to support it,” says Carpenter. “That feels really lucky. I don’t know that everybody gets to feel that in life and I don’t take that for granted.”
When it comes to a favorite item, Carpenter really loves their rust-colored, off-the-shoulder, cropped long-sleeve shirt, featuring dainty tulips on the front. It’s a great representation of who she is as a business owner—someone who loves things that are a bit on the unconventional side, who prioritizes growth, and who puts out products that she is proud of for her beloved customers. 408 & 410 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon, 360.588.4723, elsageshop.com
