She saved $24,000 to launch a craft festival in an old Joann store

Key Points:

• Lauren Tetef is reviving an old Joann fabric and craft store at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California, for a weekend event called Open House Creative Fest on June 27-28, featuring artisan markets and hands-on workshops.
• The event offers free admission to browse about 25 vendors, with an optional $40 activity passport granting access to crafting sessions and an "activity garden" stocked with art supplies for personal projects.
• Tetef, a former corporate marketing professional laid off due to tariff impacts, funded the event by saving $24,000 from her severance and side business earnings, viewing the fest as a creative comeback.
• She rented the vacant Joann store for $3,000 plus a deposit and invested in renovations and supplies, aiming to create a communal creative space reminiscent of the store’s former role inspiring local makers.
• The event has attracted nearly 500 RSVPs and 70 activity passport sales, with hopes that the festival will draw significant foot traffic and rekindle community engagement in the mall space.