When the 120-year-old Zanesville Masonic Temple burned down back in January, it took with it spaces that had been used by local artisans and vendors to display and sell their work and materials. Seeing the devastation and wanting to do something to help, local entrepreneur Jim Lepi asked his wife Bobbi to reach out to the different vendors that occupied the building to offer the use of the Dresden & Company Home Building formerly the Union Elementary in Dresden, Ohio.
“I asked Bobbi to reach out and offer the building as a space for those who had shops and spaces in the Masonic Building even if it was just a landing place for them until they find another space. Now that they are there, I think they have brought a fun energy to that space” stated Jim Lepi.
One of the first to accept the offer from the Lepis was Lurenda Hayes who owns and operates Sage REdesign a boutique that is all about rethinking antiques and an amalgamation of fashion, vintage and now, along with handcrafted home furnishings and more. Lurenda was on the search committee to help those displaced by the fire to find a new location to start fresh.
Along with Sage REdesign the space is also home to Oh So Metro Jewelry and Design run by Laura May, Amy Aurore who is a licensed wedding officiant and counselor, Tina Gundelfinger and Carrie Turner who are both local photographers, and local artist studio by Rev. Jennifer Johnston-Baker.
“It has kind of put us back together, we are a community again. I guess if there was one good thing to come from the fire, it was that it made us reach out as friends and work together” said Hayes.
On Saturday, May 7th, the vendors and artists in the studio spaces at 701 Chestnut Street, in Dresden will be having an Open House and Kentucky Derby Party including games and refreshments and mint juleps for the guests, horse races, and small tasteful hats to the winners of the field and more. Be sure to stop by and welcome them to Dresden!
