More change is coming soon to Downtown Woodstock GA. Glassbaker, a maker of handmade glass beads for jewelry sold 
worldwide is soon moving to the current location of Priest Home Furnishings on Main Street. According to the Cherokee Tribune, the company, which currently employs eight staff members and 80 artists that make the beads, will be moving into the 24,000 sq ft location and will have a retail storefront to sell merchandise. According to owner Mary Guay, Billy Peppers of the Downtown Development Authority, “was unbelievably helpful” in coordinating the deal and assisting the company in obtaining a low-interest loan to help the company purchase the building.
Along with the move, Glassbakers will undergo a name change to Woodstock Arts Glass. Peppers believes that companies like this will bring more artists downtown and “be the next wave of entrepreneurship in our downtown area”.
Interestingly, Glassbaker started after Guay took a took a two-hour class on making glass beads with her future daughter-in-law. They soon began making beads to sell on eBay before having their products offered by New York jewelry distributor Chamilia. Now their merchandise is sold world-wide with the company producing thousands of beads per month.
Priest Home Furnishings will undoubtably be missed- the company has been a Main Street fixture since 1963. Herb Priest, the store’s owner, said he and his family is undecided about whether they’ll reopen in another location but will begin reducing prices at the store in order to liquidate their inventory.
In other news affecting Downtown Woodstock, Executive Director Peppers gave an update on the DDA’s Facade Improvement Program. According to the Tribune, the program involves a matching grant of up to $5000 for downtown businesses to help them update their storefronts. According to Peppers, about eight business owners have inquired about the grants. “It’s a great opportunity to invest back into their buildings.” Peppers stated. Canton and Waleska in Cherokee County have also started similar programs.
We applaud the continued efforts of DDA and others to continue Woodstock’s progress as a thriving downtown area!
Our favorite “pick” this week is a foreclosure in Roswell GA at Estates at Riverbirch Glen- the home has nearly 6000 sq ft plus an unfinished basement and has 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths and one half bath. The home originally sold for $825,000 in 2003 and is now for sale at $539,800.
