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Supporting Local: The C.C. Lowell Story and the Power of Community

By Reanna Filmore

At 455 Pleasant Street stands a piece of living history: C.C. Lowell, the oldest art supply store in the United States. But the story isn’t just about how long it’s been around; it’s about the heart behind the business, the city that surrounds it, and how a little support can make a big impact.

What’s Up Worcester sat down with Kristen Sciascia, owner of C.C. Lowell, to talk about the store’s journey, the relationships that keep it thriving, and the message she hopes Worcester hears loud and clear: Support your local businesses.

A Life Built in Local

Kristen didn’t go to school to run a business. In fact, she didn’t even plan to. But after graduating from Worcester State in 1995 with a minor in art, she walked into C.C. Lowell looking for a job. It started as a part-time gig but soon became a career.

“I’d worked retail since I was 14, but there was something different about being here,” Kristen says. “I loved that I had a voice. That I could actually make a difference.”

Over the years, Kristen took on every role at the store: merchandising, framing, and management. When the previous owner, Bill, was ready to retire, Kristen knew she had found her place. She bought the store in 2012.

“I tried working for a bigger company once. I hated it. There, no one listens. Here, your input matters. And that’s the kind of space I wanted to be in.”

The Backbone: College Partnerships

C.C. Lowell has built deep and meaningful relationships with local colleges over the decades. One of the biggest: Holy Cross.

“Holy Cross is incredibly supportive,” Kristen says. “They come to us with their class lists, and we put together custom art kits for their students. That business is everything to us.”

Professors from other local colleges like Worcester State, Assumption, Quinsigamond Community College, and Clark University also work with Kristen directly. She builds customized kits with discounted materials, hand-packed and labeled. Since COVID, she has even pivoted to offering them online to make things easier.

“We make about 500 to 600 art kits per semester,” she explains. “That doesn’t just keep us afloat, it keeps our connection with the colleges strong. And it gives students an experience that’s about more than just materials.”

Kristen is proud of the fact that her team is willing to go above and beyond. “If a student is missing a pencil, I will drive it to the school myself. That’s what makes us different.”

How the Big Guys Can Help the Little Ones

A key part of Kristen’s message is this: large companies in Worcester have the power to keep small businesses alive. And some already do.

“David Clark Company, who literally works with NASA, buys a specific product from us,” she says. “It might only be a few thousand dollars a year, but to us, that’s a huge deal. And they get it. They want to support us.”

Kristen points to Table Talk Pies as another example of a company that shows up for the local economy. “They’ve always been community-focused. Worcester needs more of that.”

The problem, she explains, is that most large businesses go through massive distributors instead of keeping it local. And when independent retailers are bypassed, it chips away at their foundation.

“Polar Beverages, banks, corporate offices—they all buy pens, picture frames, office supplies. If they bought even a portion of those items from local stores, the impact would be enormous.”

Survival in the Face of Challenge

Kristen isn’t shy about the struggles. From COVID to losing a major distributor, she’s had to learn how to pivot, adapt, and push through.

“During COVID, people would call and say, ‘My kid is bored, I have $50.’ I’d put together a package and hand it to them out the back door,” she recalls.

When her main distributor, McPherson, shut down after shifting its focus away from independent stores, Kristen was hit hard. But she found support in a new partner, SLS, and began rebuilding her supply chain.

“This summer has been hard,” she admits. “We don’t always have everything people want on the shelves. It’s not because we don’t want to, it’s because we can’t get it, or we can’t afford to stock as deeply.”

The picture framing business also took a hit when UMass lost funding and had to cut programs that previously partnered with her shop.

“It all trickles down,” she says. “People don’t realize how thin the margins are. One change in a college department, and I lose a big chunk of business.”

She notes that Clark University eliminating its art major has already had a huge impact. “That decision hurts more than people know.”

More Than Just a Store

C.C. Lowell is more than a retail space. It’s a community hub. From consignment for local artists to free art supply swaps, the shop is constantly finding ways to give back.

“We do these swaps where people can bring in gently used supplies and take what they need. It helps artists who can’t afford new materials, and it keeps the creative energy flowing.”

They also host fundraisers and events where all store proceeds go to a cause like Pow!Wow! Worcester, local educators, or art initiatives.

“We give 50% off the store for two hours. We take the hit. But it’s worth it because we’re part of something bigger.”

The store also opens its doors for art classes and supports new artists by offering space and visibility.

What Worcester Can Do

“We’re not asking for the world,” Kristen says. “Leave a five-star Google review. Come buy a pencil. Tell a friend.”

She emphasizes that even small purchases matter. “If a big company buys 17 dozen pencils, that’s huge for us. But if you buy just one pencil, we’re happy.”

More than anything, she wants Worcester to realize the power it holds.

“Worcester is filled with artists. With dreamers. With builders. They all start somewhere. We’re one of those places. But we can’t keep going if we’re forgotten.”

A Final Word of Hope

Despite the challenges, Kristen remains hopeful.

“The world is stressful right now. But when people come in here, they leave inspired. That gives me hope. The arts community here is strong. And if we keep supporting each other, we’ll be okay.”

So the next time you walk down Pleasant Street, stop into C.C. Lowell. Say hi. Buy something. Share a post. Because in a world of chain stores and online carts, it’s places like this that give Worcester its soul.

And they need us now more than ever.

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