Marin’s Creative Heartbeat: Spare Offers Sustainable Artistry in San Anselmo
For three decades, I’ve watched Marin County burst with creativity. Recently, something new and genuinely inspiring has caught my attention.
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This post takes a closer look at Spare (Sustainable Provisions for Arts, Reuse & Enrichment). It’s a nonprofit fabric and creative-reuse store that just opened in San Anselmo, thanks to Corte Madera’s own Mena Lazar.
Spare isn’t just another shop. It stands as proof that repurposing works, art can be for everyone, and community spirit still thrives in our county.
Giving New Life to Lost Treasures
Imagine a spot where forgotten craft supplies don’t just gather dust—they get a second chance. Spare does exactly that, right in the heart of San Anselmo.
Owner Mena Lazar, a crafter and former tech pioneer, has poured energy into curating a space overflowing with creative possibilities. The shelves? They’re packed with items that would’ve ended up in the trash.
You’ll spot delicate rubber stamps, sparkling glitter, piles of fabric, and buckets of colorful yarn. Spare breathes new life into materials, giving them a real purpose again.
This isn’t just about business—it’s a way of thinking that feels woven into Marin itself. Sustainability matters here, especially in towns like Mill Valley and Sausalito.
Making Art Affordable for All Marin Makers
Lazar wants more than just recycling. She’s on a mission to make art and crafting affordable and within reach for anyone in Marin.
Teachers, students, seasoned artists, and curious hobbyists all find a place at Spare. For families in Tiburon and Novato, where creative hobbies can get pricey, this really matters.
The idea for Spare sparked after Lazar volunteered at Legacy in Sebastopol. That community’s resourcefulness left a mark.
The support and mentorship she found there helped turn her dream into something real. Honestly, you can feel that same collaborative energy in Marin towns like Larkspur and Ross.
An Elevated Thrifting Experience for Busy Marin Families
Lazar knows how hectic Marin life gets, especially for parents. She’s designed Spare to be different from a typical thrift store.
Instead of clutter, there’s an “elevated thrifting” vibe. Items are thoughtfully arranged, making it easy and actually enjoyable for parents and their kids to browse.
This attention to detail turns a visit to Spare into a pleasant, quick outing—even for families coming from Fairfax or Belvedere.
Lazar’s not just a shop owner—she’s a lifelong sewer and historical costumer. Her background includes co-founding Six Apart and running LiveJournal before stepping away from tech after her daughter was born.
Now, she finds real fulfillment in community-based crafts. That shift feels familiar to a lot of us in Marin who crave real connections and hands-on results.
A Hub for Creative Connection and Future Workshops
You’ll probably spot Lazar herself near the register, hands busy with her latest craft project. She lights up when customers come back and show off what they’ve made with supplies they found at Spare.
That shared spark of creativity really sits at the heart of Spare. It gives people a sense of accomplishment and weaves together a community that stretches all over Marin.
Spare is also stocking up on supplies for teachers as the school year creeps closer. That’s a huge help for educators in places like Sausalito and Belvedere.
Lazar’s looking into ways to host workshops too. I have a feeling those will be lively events for folks from every Marin town, helping people pick up new skills and build stronger creative ties.
Spare is located at:
- 324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo
Hours of Operation:
- Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Got questions? Give them a call at 415-295-7026 or check out sparecrafts.org.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin resident on a mission to get people crafting
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