SAFFORD — Two of the anchor stores in Safford’s Downtown were closed for renovations during the month of January, but as of Wednesday, the stores have welcomed back the public.
Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co. held a special invitation-only preview Tuesday evening before opening to the public.
“A month was too long to be shut down, but good things come to those who wait,” said owner Tricia Garrett.
Shoppers have the opportunity to view the offerings from new vendors, including textured artworks by full-time nursing student Emily Richins, under her business name Textures by Em.
“I made one of these for my sister for Christmas, and I fell in love with it,” Richins said. “I just wanted to keep doing it, so I decided to contact (Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co.) and start selling it.”
Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co. was closed due to renovations on the second floor, which is being converted into apartment space for GCRC clients. Also during the temporary closure, Kendra’s Bridal Boutique moved into its own storefront two doors east, opening more display space for additional vendors inside Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co.
“We have a lot of new stuff,” Garrett said.
The other store re-opening Wednesday, after a month’s closure for renovations, was Ginaveve’s Marketplace. Owner Jenny Howard said significant work was completed in a relatively short period of time.
“We took out a staircase, which made more room in the kitchen, and then we tore out all the existing drywall,” Howard said. “All of the plumbing and electrical, we re-did that as well.”
That allowed Howard to put in new lighting and HVAC, as well as installing a new sandwich bar in the kitchen. In the front of the store, she expanded the coffee bar, and put in new tables and chairs in the dining area.
She said there’s still work to do —including introducing her new menu, and a section for wine and beer now that Ginaveve’s has obtained a liquor license — but that’s dependent on an upcoming job fair, Saturday, Feb. 4, 1-4 p.m., at the store.
“I’m e-mailing applications in advance, if they go on our Facebook Page or Instagram and let us know,” Howard said.
Howard said she’s looking for five people for Gineveve’s and two for the Tiny Bean Coffee Shop, seeking to hire “cooks to baristas, to preppers to runners.”
