The store will also offer framing services, art classes for all ages and an artists’ gallery.
RUMFORD – People streamed into Rumford’s newest business at a steady pace one day last week, checking the rows of artist and scrapbook supplies, the decorative albums and the huge assortment of paper.
ScrappersDomaine has finally opened.
Progress on transforming an abandoned building into a bright, beautiful hobby and artists’ shop located on Canal Street has been watched closely by many for several months.
Linda Couture, the manager, and her four part-time employees have been unpacking boxes of colored pencils, inks and pens, shadow boxes, paints, brushes, calligraphy supplies and other items.
“We’re hoping this will bring more people into town,” said Couture as she took a break from opening-day activities.
Hundreds of kinds of paper, some handmade, are available for an art or craft project. It’s the supply of paper that has given the store its slogan – “It’s All About Paper.”
Lem Cissel, a businessman from Maryland, began scouting the area a few months ago for economic opportunities. He found tremendous enthusiasm for a shop that would supply the items area people want and need for their craft and fine art projects. He searched for local people who were as enthusiastic about a hobby and craft shop as he was.
He found them in Couture and the part-timers who staff the shop – Martha Hill, Diane Paterson, Betsy Bell and Tom Trice. Trice will become the framer in a few weeks.
Besides craft and art materials, the shop plans to offer classes in scrapbooking, rubber stamping, altered books and other topics that residents request. Children’s art classes are planned as well, as are adult watercolor or acrylic painting and color theory classes. A listing of course offerings should be available sometime next month.
Other plans: professional framing, photo enlargements and copies.
A comfortable sofa in front of the store allows customers to relax and look at scrapbooks, idea books and anything else they may be interested in. And a small children’s play area is available to keep little hands busy while their parents shop.
In the center of the beige and sage green interior is a bronze statue of a smiling boy standing on his hands.
“You can’t help but be happy when you see him,” Couture said.
Employees are still stocking the store, while carpentry work for the classrooms and framing studio is continuing, largely being done by Cissel, a hands-on businessman.
ScrappersDomaine opens onto Canal Street, but sometime within the next few months an entrance should also be available from Congress Street. Cissel owns a former jewelry store along the major street in town that, with a bit of reconstruction, now connects with ScrappersDomaine. He is renovating it into an artists’ gallery.
By March, area artists are expected to hang their paintings and other works of art in the former jewelry store. All works will be for sale.
Cissel worked with the River Valley Arts Initiative and local artists and expects a considerable number of artists to take advantage of the space.
Eventually, he said he wants the hobby and artist shop to be employee-owned.
For now, though, everyone is busy finishing the stocking, renovating and preparing for the Oct. 25 grand opening, when about 20 prizes will be given away during a day-long open house.
The store is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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