Volta Market Moves Online: Q & A with Lisa Volta

Since 2014, holistic staple Volta Market has operated its funky shop on East Passyunk Ave. Along Volta’s own line of organic soaps, the store specialized in locally sourced, natural teas, herbs, beauty products, and goods produced by Philadelphia area artists. but big changes ahead. Volta Market is currently closing up their physical location and transitioning to a solely online presence. We talked to the founder of Volta Market, Lisa Volta, about the new changes to the company.

However, there are changes ahead. Volta Market is currently closing up their physical location and transitioning to a solely online presence. We talked to the founder of Volta Market, Lisa Volta, about the new changes to the company.

Q & A with Lisa Volta

What is new with Volta Market?

We’re taking our store online and launching our new, “Artisanal Hive: Community Supported Self Care,” a membership goodie box that will feature different local artisans in each share. Members can buy in for as low as $25/ month with add-on options. Deliveries will be made once a month to a number of pick-up locations throughout the city.

Offering a delivery service allows us to continue serving Volta Organics customers in Philadelphia. Our long-term goal is to become a promotion network for small, local businesses and artisans. Volta Market always carried a handful of locally made items but we plan to expand our selection online.

Our frequent shoppers know we had a good selection of bulk ingredients for DIY – pretty much everything we used to make our products was available by the ounce or pound. We’ll have bulk options online.

When will the physical store close?

Our last day was Sunday, April 23, 2017.

Why are you choosing to go online?

The plain answer is that shopping online has become ubiquitous, and there’s lots of overhead in operating a bricks and mortar shop.

from a business view, Do you think online or in person sales as more sustainable?

That’s tricky. In regards to loyalty and relationships, in person sales are always the best. Sustainability as far as the cost of maintaining a storefront, carting wares around town, and making a living is something different altogether.

This is one of the reasons we’re forging the path that we are. Our hope is to maintain personal relationships through workshops and Artisanal Hive and to encourage people to shop small and local.h

Where will you be next?

We still plan on having an active local presence. I think not being tied to one location will allow us to engage with communities in a way we weren’t able to before.

We’ll also be offering pop-up aromatherapy and DIY body care workshops with other local wellness and community-focused businesses such as Sculpere (Northern Liberties), Inspired Brews (Old City), Bogberry (South Philly), and Snapdragon Flowers (West Philly). Stay tuned for upcoming workshops around the city on our website.

Lightly edited for length and clarity.