10 Years of Midtown Makers

Artists Jacque and Andrea McNeill in Midtown Makers

Ten years ago, in 2014, the idea emerged to open a shop in Ballymena to accommodate growing art and craft businesses from an increasing number of crafters and artists who had participated in the Ballymena Business Centre's Start Up programme. They found a location on Church Street and started renovating a building that had been vacant for the past seven years.

The first occupants were offices that moved into the first floor, followed by a group of young creatives who were attending university and completing their degrees. These young individuals were fortunate to secure funding from banks, the Lottery, and other sources. In November 2014, other artists and crafters, who had been running their small businesses from home, were given the opportunity to set up and sell their handmade gifts.

In 2016, several young individuals transitioned to different universities or pursued other endeavors. Midtown Makers came to life, and through extensive recruitment efforts, the shop started to feature a variety of quality handmade gifts, including some items we had never stocked before. Our inaugural Workshop was conducted by Shelley from Felting Crazy. 

More individuals joined and became an integral part of what Midtown Maker offered to both Crafters and Customers. The shop has undergone two renovations in its ten years, leading to what we are today. Additionally, during this period, we have received various Awards for our offerings and achievements, including our Windows and much more. Our Crafters have earned awards for their skills across Northern Ireland, with some contributing to the success of a National Trust business, while others have expanded into different fields, utilizing their talents.

Offering a variety of workshops monthly, these were popular until Covid forced them to halt. Some crafters persisted online, maintaining contact with people and providing an opportunity to stay active.

Shelley Steele from Felting Crazy taking a felting workshop

Amid the Covid pandemic, crafters and artists contributed by creating uniforms for NHS staff and care homes. They also made masks available to anyone in need, offering them in a variety of colors and designs to bring some brightness to those gloomy times.

Throughout the years, we have supported young Start Up Craft Businesses with various services. A notable and ongoing initiative is Retail Ready, which offers the opportunity to sell in a high street retail environment at no cost for 2 months. You can find more information on this website or by clicking this link: https://www.midtownmakers.co.uk/retail-ready

Throughout the years, we have hosted amazing events and exhibitions, collaborating with Mid & East Antrim council, Ballymena Bid, MacMillan, International Women's Day, Business Roadshows, Midtown Sounds, as well as the Young Crafters & Young Photographer Competitions.

There's so much more that occurs, it would take another ten years to narrate. Explore our archives.

Every month, we will contribute a bit more of our ten-year journey to the story.