Get lost among the vintage, re-purposed and outrageous finds at 115 Main Street
Circa, by definition means an approximation. Thereabouts. In the area. Locally, Circa is the newest place to browse, shop and explore on Historic Chardon Square.
Located at 115 Main Street, Circa represents an eclectic collection of original stain glass art crafted by owner Heather Hudson Means herself – many incorporating kids’ art or found objects, new and old. Antiques, military memorabilia, vintage and re-purposed home furnishings, as well as retro apparel and jewelry can also be found at the shop located near the corner of Main and Water Streets. The store’s grand opening weekend begins Friday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m.
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Heather Hudson Means is no stranger to Chardon. She was recently elected President of the Chardon Square Association. More than 10 years ago, she started her first business: Art on the Side Studio.
“Working with stained glass started as a hobby that fit nicely with my ‘real life’ as mom to two young girls,” says Hudson Means. “But I really fell in love with making pieces that commemorate a personal piece of artwork, or other object that holds special meaning for someone.”
Around Chardon you will see Hudson Means’ talents at work. Last spring she created and installed three large, customized stain glass windows for Colleen Lear, owner of Beans Coffee Shop on the Square.
“I get so many customers commenting on the beauty of these windows,” says Lear. “Heather really did a great job of bringing together all of my favorite things about nature and making works of art.”
Hudson Means’ extracurricular interests became much more than that when she also started organizing and managing estate sales in the community a few years ago. “Finding treasures like old school lockers and mid-century modern dressers is exciting,” she says. “But, they take up much more room than even my largest art pieces. With each new find, I realized I needed to expand the business.”
That’s when she and Melanie Yatsko, of The Mane Street Shoppe, decided to co-locate their spaces in the building Yatsko’s family owns. “It’s the perfect partnership,” says Yatsko. “Heather and I are able to share responsibilities, stay open longer for our customers – and spend each day doing what we love.”
Circa is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from Noon – 5 p.m. Visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/circachardon or on their website at circachardon.com.
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