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When Jackie Grey and Cindy Below were considering names for their new business, they wanted something that would reflect their vision – a place combining their interests in visual art, dance and wellness for the body and mind – a vision that was still evolving and likely to change and grow over time.
On April 30, the pair opened InProcess in the Woodville Mall and while the store’s moniker fits, it does create some confusion, they say.
“We hear people walking in the corridor sometimes and they say, ‘that store’s in process…it must not be open,’” Jackie said. “If the gate’s open and the lights are on, we invite everyone to come on in and take a look around.”
Those who do stop in the store, located near The Andersons, would likely be surprised by the expansive space, and by the eclectic and large number of things to do, browse and to buy.
The front of the store is arranged as a gallery with displays of unique and interesting artwork from some 40 different local artists.
Heading toward the back of the store, shelves hold a variety of gently used books for sale. A cozy sofa provides a comfy place to sit and peruse the pages before buying.
The other side of the space includes dance/exercise studio space, where yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and Hula Hoop Fitness classes are offered.
Grey, of Millbury, and Below, who lives in Oregon, have more ideas “in process” – possibly adding art classes or interactive children’s storytimes.
The pair met when they worked together in the Women’s Treatment Center at Behavioral Connections at Wood County, Jackie working as a counselor and Cindy as a case manager.
“We would sit at lunch and talk about wanting to own our own business,” Cindy said. “I was thinking we should start a bookstore.”
When the owner of her favorite bookstore, the Stately Raven, housed in a former Findlay church, announced he was quitting business, the pair arranged to buy the store’s shelving system.
“So we had these shelves and some books we received through donations, but we had no space,” Cindy said. “I was laid off from my job, and Jackie was working part-time, so we were committed to give the idea of starting a business a try.”
They heard about revitalization efforts at the Woodville Mall and they decided to check into it. “When we met Juanita Jones, the mall manager, we were inspired by her energy and enthusiasm,” Cindy said.
“We were thinking space for a bookstore, that would include space for art and maybe a coffee shop,” Jackie said.
“We had also briefly discussed adding dance and exercise classes. Then she showed us this space saying, ‘This is what you want.’”
Initially intimidated by the large space, the pair set out to fill it.
After painting and setting up the book area with a selection of self-help, new age, religious and spiritual, science fiction and mystery books, they began to look for art for the “gallery.” Jackie, who was an art major and is certified as an art teacher, called on some of her connections to find local artists. The women also sent out e-mails, went to art shows and made plenty of phone calls explaining what they were doing.
What they got was an eclectic assortment of pieces from artists ranging in age from 15 to sixty-something that adorn walls, display cases and shelves. The pieces include watercolors and other paintings, photographs, fractural art, handmade jewelry pieces, ceramics, handmade headbands and bows, insects made of bent flatware, and much more. Among the jewelry items are handmade ladybug pins from “The Domestic Gourdess” – Tracy Swartz, of Lake Township, who supplied some of the pins for celebrity gift bags at the recent MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles.
“Our goal was to promote the local artists and at the same time provide a range of pieces so that anyone could walk in here and find at least one thing that they would say, ‘boy, that is really cool,’” Cindy said. “So far, we have gotten wonderful feedback and word-of-mouth recommendations from customers.”
As the store’s name implies, the pieces offered are constantly changing, so there’s always something new to see, Cindy said.
The women also arranged for a yoga and fitness classes to be offered in their studio. Currently yoga is offered Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.; Hula Hoop Fitness classes are offered Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.; belly-dancing classes are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Zumba is offered Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 6 p.m.
Upcoming special events include a Cancer Survivor Art Class July 13 at 6 p.m.; a Spiritual Wellness Fair July 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a Family Yoga Night July 26 at 7 p.m.
To sign up or learn more, call 419-262-6223 or 419-721-9467, or visit InProcess on Facebook.
InProcess is currently open Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m.; Wednesday noon to 8:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Closed Sunday and Monday.)
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