Stores Now Open On First Floor At Artisan Center
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WHEELING - Mary Ann Freeze - owner of the Prodigal Daughter shop - just moved her shop from Steubenville into the Artisan Center in the heart of Wheeling's downtown streetscape construction.
She knows there will be short-term problems, but she also sees what the future could be.
The Prodigal Daughter and the relocated Wheeling Artisan Center Shop are now open on the first floor of the building from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. An estimated $1.77 million in renovations continue inside the building, though outside construction due to the streetscape project brings its own challenges.
"It's a hot mess down here, but they're really trying to make things better," she said. "I'm really excited to be here."
Freeze started looking last year for a new location - and looked at spaces in Youngstown, Columbiana, Pittsburgh and Wheeling.before settling on the Artisan Center location.
"It's not too far of a drive. It's not too far to get here," she explained. "I just feel like Wheeling is trying to do a lot more. There's smart people here."
Freeze sells everything from teas, coffees and homemade jams to Ruth Bader Ginsburg dolls and fun and humorous gifts.
While most of the food products are produced locally, some special dipping oils available come from Illinois, Freeze explained. Her sister-in-law works where they are made and takes her orders.
"It's a very eclectic mix of vintage items and fun novelty items, jewelry - and some really fun things for kids."
She said she had a good weekend for sales during last weekend's Celtic Fest.
"That's the one thing about this location. Even though there's a lot going on outside and people aren't coming downtown as much, there's still a lot that goes on in this building," Freeze said. "I have found that very helpful."
Scott Schenerlein, executive director at Wheeling Heritage, said there are some projects that remain inside the Artisan Center, such as "some paint there, a little polish there..."
What hasn't begun yet are plans for outdoor seating along 14th Street, he explained. These are being delayed until after the streetscape work is complete.
Wheeling Heritage also isn't certain yet as to the future of the space on the second floor where the Artisan Center Shop was previously located. Schenerlein said it likely will be turned into co-office sharing space, and maybe one other office.
Historical displays on the second floor provided by Oglebay Institute are still there, but will likely be moved throughout the building, according to Schenerlein. He sees them as being placed in groups as vignettes.
"They're part of Oglebay Institute's collection, so we're working with them to try and update them a bit - using the same items that are there but updating them to bring them into today's standards," Schenerlein explained.
Events are still taking place on the third floor, with the Celtic Festival being the most recent.
Artwork that was hung on the third floor has been moved to an atrium gallery on the first floor.
"The entryway has been cleaned up, and we're going to put some furniture there and make that really nice," Schenerlein said. "We're going to get some new rugs, but not until after the streetscape is done."
The renovations are being made possible through a $1 million federal earmark secured by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore-Capito, R-West Virginia, as well as $750,000 in American Rescue Plan funds through the city of Wheeling. Wheeling Heritage has also contributed approximately $20,000 to the project.
Schenerlein said Wheeling Heritage wants to invite Capito to the ribbon cutting for the updated Artisan Center, which is set for this summer.