At Gone Local, our community comes first. We wouldn't be here without our makers, small businesses, and incredible network of supporters.
It is our mission to promote Erie’s "shop local" movement by uniting its diverse artists, makers, and small businesses in one place.
ABOUT THE TEAM
As the second owners of this business, we're committed to making our hometown better. We took over this business during the March 2020 pandemic with the hopes of bringing Erieites together. Erie is experiencing a renaissance and a rebrand, and there's never been a more exciting time to live and work here.
As the reasons to shop local become increasingly more crucial, we're proud to utilize our platform to not only create visibility for local makers, but also to provide a convenient place for the community to explore and support their neighborhood assets.
Kristen Santiago
Owner/Store Manager, Queen of Multitasking
As an Erie native and small business owner, Kristen Mueller Santiago has built her life around supporting the artists and entrepreneurs of the region. She’s spent the last nine years helping her husband grow his business, five years as President of Erie ClaySpace, and is currently on the board at the Erie Art Museum.
Kristen is also the owner of Ivy + Atlas, a business consulting and mentoring agency focused on helping makers and entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
David Santiago
Logistics Specialist, Social Butterfly
A 10-year small business owner and lifelong maker, David’s no stranger to the complexities and challenges that come from starting and growing a business from scratch. Through Santiago Knives, David has sold his work to high-end retailers, individuals with million-dollar collections, and purveyors of luxury goods. His talent and attention to detail have given him recognition as one of the top knife makers in the world, with accolades from the USN and the Friday Night Blade Affair.
Katherine Innes
Marketing & Operations Assistant, Tiktok Enthusiast
Kat began her journey with Gone Local as an intern in December 2021 and quickly proved herself as motivated, capable, and so much fun! Her background and education in marketing, communication, and events add tons of creativity and fresh ideas to our brand. That, plus her love of all things local (and her work at her parents' restaurant Local Eat and Pour) make her a welcome addition to the team.
