The grand opening of Ed Malovec’s Blue Spruce Mercantile May 2 and 3 was the culmination of several years of planning and evaluating the area market for his artisan wares.
The grand opening of Ed Malovec’s Blue Spruce Mercantile May 2 and 3 was the culmination of several years of planning and evaluating the area market for his artisan wares.
Malovec, 58, nurtured his interest in repurposing furniture and décor on the side while working in aerospace manufacturing in Mentor before renting the space at 14528 North Cheshire in Burton Village.
“I knew I wanted to do something for myself,” he said during a recent interview.
So, he started displaying his projects in craft show booths and other events, eventually leasing space in Off Center Vintage, a thrift store in Burton that is now closed.
“I was welcomed in there. It went really well,” Malovec said, adding that experience led him to consider leasing about 850 square feet nearby.
“I always wanted to own my own store,”he said.
Malovec tapped the many artisans he knew to line up inventory and when the holidays were over, went to work, tastefully displaying a wide variety of artistic or whimsical gift items in the large, well-lit unit.
“I wanted to create a space where people could walk through,” Malovec said, adding timing was important.
There is a lull in shopping activity between early January and spring, he said.
“That was the time I used to start this place up, taking advantage of the slow time,” Malovec said, adding the tourist season is starting to bring in more shoppers.
On a stroll through Blue Spruce Mercantile, a visitor will see hand-thrown stoneware from Brown Bear Pottery in Newbury Township, fresh traditional sourdough bread, butters and cookies from nearby Willow Farms, Yoked Beef Jerky from Thompson Township and biscotti toscani made by local Sugar and Spice Bakery.
Mixing bowl sets and cake stands from Mosser Glass Company, in Cambridge, Ohio, are displayed on a vintage cabinet Malovec repurposed.
Honey from Gene McCune’s hives in Auburn Township and Shannon Huffman’s health and body care products fill shelves. Julie Hunter’s spruce tree-themed Julery Creations, of Chardon, has its own space, as well.
Malovec also sources from internet sites, such as Cooper Mill Jams in Bucyrus and for specialized organic olive oil.
“It’s the only way you can do it,” he said, adding there are some popular items not produced in Northeast Ohio.
“Geauga County isn’t known for its olive oil,” Malovec said. “But, I’m trying to stay as local as possible. A lot of this is made locally.”
He collects ideas as he shops around or when people come in asking if he carries an item, which then leads him to reach out.
“I called (McCunes) to see if they wanted to come in. They were interested for sure,” he said, noting the well-known beekeeper now has an outlet in Burton.
“Traveling to different stores, I’m always looking for something unique. Then, I see if they are interested in coming in,” he said.
Huffman was selling her products during an event on Burton Village Square when he recruited her for the mercantile.
In a small cooler, he stocks Wild Patch LLC fresh micro-greens grown in Chester Township and, near the door, colorful gardening gloves and boots.
One of Malovec’s challenges is visibility. Located at the north end of Burton’s commercial district on North Cheshire Street, Blue Spruce Mercantile does not have much of a store front.
But, the owner said he plans to put out sandwich boards on the tree lawn and have planters on the steps leading to the entry so people notice the establishment.
“I’m trying to work with as many locals as we can to promote local artisans,” he said. “I’m trying to help these people.”
