Crafty Goodness Set for its Grand Opening on Saturday

There’s a new retail store coming to town — and it's offering lots of reasons to shop local.

Sixty-three of ‘em to be exact.

 Crafty Goodness, at 15621 Madison Ave., is opening its doors to the public at 9 a.m. Saturday.

 The store offers all kinds of handmade gifts, made by local artisans. You name the medium, Crafty Goodness has probably got it.

Fine-art photography, traditional canvas and panel art, uniquely-applied original screen prints and wood-carved and burned wall decorations are just a few of the works sold at the shop.

The owners, Chris Sorensen and husband/wife team Matthew and Joanna Orgovan, started talking about opening a store together in 2009, when they were all selling their own work as members of the .

The owners say they are committed to providing an affordable alternative to retail chains — while providing a local hot-spot where customers can see what their neighbors and friends created.

 “This is all cool stuff that you might not know that people are making — and they’re making it local,” said Joanna Orgovan.

 She said they chose to open in Lakewood for a number of reasons, including the city’s walkability, nearby restaurants and loyal residents who support local businesses.

“There weren’t too many reasons for us not to open in Lakewood,” she added.

Sorensen referred to the shop’s formula for success as “See. Shop. Learn.”

SEE, she said, has to do with the extensive art gallery that adorns the walls of the store, representing more than 60 artists — some who have already gained local recognition, and others who are up-and-coming.

“Everything we sell has a story,” said Sorensen.

SHOP. Crafty Goodness carries only locally made goods from artisans who reside in Northeast Ohio. Artists from the seven counties that make up Northeast Ohio are represented. To visually document this detail, the shop features a large map of Northeast Ohio that pinpoints all of the communities where items are made.

LEARN. In addition to offering everyday, practical items for patrons, Crafty Goodness specializes in hosting a variety of art- and craft-related classes that customers of all ages can take. Most of the classes are organized in a “make-and-take format,” where each student takes his or her creation home. The goal of these classes is for students to broaden their own personal interests in the arts, while honing their skills in particular art disciplines.