Episode 15: Small Business Spotlight| How GATHER Built a Sebastopol Craft & Community Hub
Erin Hillmer and Jen Koelemeijer
Co-owners of Gather in Sebastopol, CA
Gather, a new home goods boutique in Sebastopol, is redefining retail. The brainchild of co-owners, Erin Hillmer and Jen Koelemeijer, Gather goes beyond retail by creating a community hub, focused on teaching the practical arts–gardening, cooking, preservation, fermentation, and the fiber arts–while providing all the best tools and products to engage in these endeavors. The name "Gather" perfectly encapsulates Erin and Jen’s mission to build a vibrant community-cum-retail space that invites people in to learn the craft and how to use the tools needed to perform the practical art. Their aim is to provide a vibrant space to shop, get inspired, and share your learn, bringing community together and energy and excitement back to downtown
Gather aims to counteract e-commerce trends by fostering hands-on learning and social connection, offering a "third space" where people can develop self-sufficiency, de-stress from technology, and share knowledge of traditional crafts like visible mending, natural dyeing, and sourdough baking. Their shop, named the best new business in 2025 by the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, emphasizes high-quality, durable tools and locally sourced products while providing an extensive, seasonally curated class schedule taught by local artisans. They also offer free community events like monthly "Handmade & Homegrown Happy Hours" and weekly fiber circles.
Inspired by the discussion of the practical arts and fermentation, the Craft Beer Concierge reflects on the meticulous process of home brewing lagers, highlighting them as a challenging yet rewarding first project for homebrewers. He features 3 Disciples Brewing, a Santa Rosa-based operation founded by homebrewers-turned-pros James Claus and Matt Penpraze. He features the "Let There Be Light" Czech Pilsner, a crisp, 5% ABV beer with light herbal and spice notes from Saaz hops, which is perfect for enjoying in the current Sonoma County weather.
Featured Guests:
Featured Beer:
3 Disciples Brewing, Let There Be Light
Resources Mentioned in the Interview:
Gather website: The primary source for their class schedule, product offerings, and general information about the store.
Gather Brick & Mortar Location: 122 N. Main Street, Sebastopol, CA
Specific Workshops/Skills: Mentioned classes include natural dyeing, felted items, hand-poured candles, botanical bitters, miso fermentation, sourdough, cheesemaking, broom making, fire cider, and beginning and advanced knitting.
Community Events: Ongoing events such as Handmade & Homegrown Happy Hours, fiber circles, and produce swaps were highlighted as ways to connect with the local community.
