The public is invited to explore Cultural Cocoon, a new store at 32 Main Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire.  The store is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM & Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM each week.

Cultural Cocoon’s mission is to encourage economic development in the region and in Peterborough by offering opportunities to purchase rare and beautifully made items handcrafted by some of the most highly skilled artisans in the world. The store will offer beads, home décor and unique collectibles, many of which are created in limited editions. Offerings will change, so you are invited to visit often.

Joseph’s Coat, Mariposa Museum and Cultural Survival Bazaar collaborated to bring artisans and their creations to a world craft market at Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center in July. Building on that success, the partners devised a plan to provide a space for artisans to show and sell their creations year-round, complementing their efforts to sell at local bazaars. A new nonprofit store, Cultural Cocoon, resulted.

Cultural Cocoon and Mariposa Museum each have their own space in Peterborough’s historic Carr building. They share a passion for building cultural understanding through education and stimulating the appreciation and purchase of handcrafted items. Some of these items are created using processes that are centuries old, and buying them is one way to help preserve these arts. 

Françoise Bourdon, a shopper at Joseph’s Coat since it opened in 1980, its owner since 2006, will manage the new store.

“My love of sewing and textiles broadened and deepened to appreciate a wide variety of handcrafted items as Joseph’s Coat evolved from a fabric store to a clothing and word crafts emporium,” says Bourdon. “Connections with the objects in my home tie me to the world, which is my hope for every Cultural Cocoon shopper. I’m excited about the new store and the opportunities it will give me to tell more people the stories behind what they are buying.”        

Cultural Cocoon’s environment is relaxed, inviting guests to linger, browse and enjoy a slower shopping pace. It’s another great place in Peterborough to enjoy a true multicultural experience. To learn more, contact Bourdon at 603-784-5585.
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About Joseph’s Coat: Joseph’s Coat is “one of the coolest shops in the Monadnock Region,” selling an ever-changing inventory of handmade creations that particularly attract those who love textiles. Learn more at www.jocoat.com. 

About Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center: A museum of world cultures, Mariposa Museum is a hands-on museum designed for all ages, offering educational programs, field trips, and tailored workshops. Learn more at www.mariposamuseum.org.

About the Cultural Survival Bazaar: Cultural Survival Bazaars are a series of cultural festivals that provide indigenous artists, cooperatives, and their representatives from around the world the chance to sell their work directly to shoppers in our country. Learn more at www.bazaar.culturalsurvival.org.