Five Crows Gallery & Hand Crafted Gifts: Small Biz Profile

Initially, and briefly, Five Crows Gallery & Hand Crafted Gifts sold only the work of the five owners, who are artists. Very quickly, they saw there was a need for hand-crafted gifts.

Five Crows, located at 41 Main St. in Natick, is run by five owner/artists: Weaver Sherry Anderson, Silversmith Gianna Bird, Jeweler Marie Jeffrey, Glass Artist Paula Kochanek and Mixed Media Artist Ginger McEachern.

Here, Patch talks with McEachern.

When did you open/launch? February 2002

What made you decide to open this type of business? And why this location? After a very successful holiday sale in 2001 at one of the founders homes it seemed natural for us to open a store. Initially and briefly the store sold only the work of the five owner/artists. We soon realized there was a need for beautiful hand crafted gifts, so we found additional artists to consign their work as well. We opened Five Crows at 8 Court Street and were at that location for 11 years. In September of 2012 we moved to our current location in Natick Center. By moving to the bigger location we have been able to offer our customers classes taught by our talented artists in addition to our unique gifts.

What do you like best about it? It is great fun to bring beautifully crafted art into our store and watch our customers discover that perfect gift.

Biggest struggle? We have had a difficult time getting the word out about our class offerings. We will continue to advertise and spread the word. We have excellent teachers and wonderful offerings. Our spring classes will be available in February.

What do you see for the future? We hope to continue to raise awareness of our special shop. In addition, we would like to grow our classes by bringing in more students.

Politics and small business: how does government affect your business? We are an active member of the Natick Center Associates. This nonprofit organization is comprised of property owners, retail and office workers, concerned neighbors, town officials, nonprofits and corporations. This group works in partnership with the Town of Natick and committed NCA members to cultivate a lively and diverse downtown neighborhood by enhancing the cultural, economic, and social life of our community.

We are also involved with The Natick Center Cultural District, home to more than 100 working artists, The Center For Arts in Natick, the Morse Institute Library, many independently owned businesses and cultural organizations, and an active Parks and Recreation Department, all contributing to a busy year-round schedule of arts and cultural events.

Name another local business to which you’d send customers: Renew Arts and Industry, 19 South Main St., Natick