by Shelley Marsh for The Florida Times-Union
September 17, 2014
PV Arts & Crafts opened for business in the Ponte Vedra Square Shopping Center over the summer. While the store is new, owners Stephanie and Alan Campbell have been serving the Beaches area for 13 years. They are the founders of Crafts & More, originally located on Third Street in Jacksonville Beach. When they first moved to the area from Georgia, Alan, who has a background in retail management, identified the lack of arts and craft stores in the area. “People had to drive all the way to Southside Drive to get anything,” Campbell recalls. “We saw that it would be a good location. That was the beginning of the whole thing.”
The newest location at 288-1 Solana Road appears deceptively small at first glance, but inside, shelves of arts and craft supplies extend back nearly 200 feet. The first thing you will notice when you walk into PV Arts & Crafts is the yarn: a veritable rainbow of yarn in a multitude of textures and colors. The walls are lined with art and craft supplies for every interest, from knitting to scrapbooking, drafting or print-making. An array of canvases in every size occupies a section to the rear of the store, where many supplies for painters of fine art are displayed.
The display space equals or exceeds that of their former location, where they were located for the past six years. That building at 506 on Beach Boulevard is slated for demolition to make way for a new fast food restaurant. Crafts & More closed its doors April 30, but the new location would not be ready until June. While the storefront was being gutted and refitted for its new occupants, the owners of Ponte Vedra Square allowed PVAC to store their overflowing bounty of art supplies in other unoccupied spots throughout the shopping center. Storage cubes of yarn could be spotted in two vacant storefronts during the months leading up to opening day.
“We were able to put some stuff out that people didn’t know we had: especially the yarn. People didn’t know we had all this yarn at the other store. It was tucked in a corner, but here we are able to spread out, put it on display.”
All that yarn attracted the attention of area knitters. A knitting group has already expressed interest in holding meetings at PV Arts & Crafts. Campbell says that groups can meet in the evenings in the front section of the store or, in the future, outside: he plans to add tables on the sidewalk in front of the store.
Historically, most of Crafts & More’s customers have been artists. The store will continue to offer discounts of up to 40% off retail prices of fine art supplies including paint, canvases and brushes. They also offer discounts to all students as well as members of the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. Artists from beginners to professionals will find their art supply needs met. “We offer the largest selection of fine art supplies in the city,” states Campbell.
With the move to Ponte Vedra, the owners plan to expand their offerings to families. An area in the front of the store displays a wide selection of craft kits for children, perfect for gifts. Custom scrapbooking materials featuring the names, school colors and mascots of local schools are available. The store also offers a variety of science fair project necessities.
The staff at PVAC have found that many times their job involves problem solving. Perplexed customers come in because they have run into a problem with their craft project. On other occasions, children with last-minute emergencies for school projects have turned up looking for help. Staff members, most of whom are artists and crafters themselves, will work with the customer to help find a solution.
“People ask a lot of interesting questions,” says co-owner Stephanie Campbell. She says she discovered that people ask for what they think they need, but sometimes they are actually trying to work out a solution. “By working with customers one-on-one, or brainstorming with a team, we can find the right materials for almost any project.”
The grand opening event will take place on Saturday, September 20 from 11am to 6pm. Special activities for children including face painting, stamping and art will take place from 11 to 2. From 2-6, activities for adults will include door prizes, refreshments and special discounts.
PV Arts & Crafts is located at 288-1 Solana Road in the Ponte Vedra Square Shopping Center. Regular business hours are from 9:30 to 5:30 on Monday through Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturday. You can contact them at (904) 473-5171 or visit their website at http://www.pvaandc.com.
