Story and photo by Laura Scharf
“W e wanted to take a great store and make it even better,”
says Lorna Fenenbock, one of the new owners of The Art Barn, a Route
9 landmark in Ossining for 33 years.
Fenenbock and her husband, Steve Berman, took over the Art Barn last
December when Arda Hutter, who had owned the store and built it into
one of Westchester’s best-known places for high-quality framing,
gifts and art supplies, decided it was time to retire.
“The Art Barn had many loyal customers,” Fenenbock said.
“We wanted to keep them happy and bring in new ones, keeping up
the Art Barn’s reputation for quality merchandise and adding fresh
new items people wouldn't find anywhere else.”
Fenenbock and Berman moved to Westchester four years ago from California
to raise their son, Ellis, here. When they heard that The Art Barn was
for sale, they decided it was a perfect fit.
Berman, an advertising photographer, had retired, but was looking for
a new challenge.
Fenenbock, who had grown up in the art world, spent 17 years in high-end
retail and merchandising, working with Neiman Marcus, Crabtree &
Evelyn and interior designers. Taking over The Art Barn would enable
them to draw on their extensive experience to create a showcase for
the best arts and crafts, and to work with the community to encourage
young artists to follow their dreams.
For those who have never visited The Art Barn, you’re in for a
wonderful surprise.
Behind its modest looking exterior on Route 9, at the northern end of
Ossining, The Art Barn is a wonderland of art, frames, jewelry, gifts
for men, women and children and art supplies. It's all brought together
by a knowledgeable staff that is committed to helping customers find
the right gift, frame or work of art to enhance their home.
“People love our merchandise,” says Fenenbock. “It’s
wonderful to hear people say to their friends ‘don’t you
love that!’ as they shop. The response has been terrific!”
The Art Barn’s framing department was named “Best in Westchester”
last year, so if you are looking for the perfect frame for anything
from a small photo to a large painting, The Art Barn’s framing
experts will work with you to create the perfect setting for your picture.
The store has 15 employees, and according to Fenenbock, each one is
talented. Linda Jean Fisher, who is president of the Peekskill Arts
Council, has been with The Art Barn for nearly 18 years, and several
other employees have also been there for a long time.
“Most of our employees have some formal art education,”
says Fenenbock. “We turn them loose, and encourage them to use
their talents.”
It’s Gift Time
How many gifts do you have to buy in June? It’s time for weddings,
graduations, Father's Day, teachers’ gifts and probably many more.
At the Art Barn, you can find all the gifts you need, plus some great
jewelry to complete your outfit for all the parties you'll be attending.
There are many great hostess gifts you won't find anywhere else. You
might even want to keep some for your own home. Among the most popular
are hand-decorated gardening tools, whirly-gigs to decorate a lawn or
garden, and beautiful hand-signed ceramics from Peru. Ceramic koi fish
from Asia add a colorful touch to a patio or living room.
Choose from a fun collection of beaded animals from Africa to put on
your windowsill or hang in a window to reflect the light.
There are fabulous smelling Luminary candles with the essence of Mediterranean
figs, pink grapefruit or orange-vanilla. Abbey Glen jewelry, made by
four Kentucky women, combines silver and semi-precious stones such as
turquoise and carnelian. Luminscent glass perfume bottles from Egypt
shine, and will make the perfect accessory for your dresser top.
Fenenbock believes in supporting artists, so several lines of merchandise
the store carries are either made by craftsmen and women in developing
nations, or support a cause. There are even cat and dog toys handmade
by artists in a village in Nepal.
For Father’s Day, there’s a great selection of stainless
steel bracelets, key chains and money clips by Steel-X. “A Man’s
Candle” with a bayberry scent in a raw beeswax shell will add
a great scent and masculine look to his den or office. There’s
a special table with Father’s Day gift ideas that will help you
find something special.
For the graduates on your list, how about framing his varsity jersey
or other memorabilia in a special frame? Jewelry makes a great graduation
gift for the girls and young women grads, and it's available in all
price ranges. And the gift all grads are sure to treasure is a beautiful
frame for their hard-earned diploma. Pick one out yourself, or give
them a gift certificate to pick out their own frame.
Teachers will love handcrafted treasures from all over the world, or
a piece of unique jewelry. There’s lots of fun stuff, some great
books, desk decorations, picture frames and you won't have to spend
a lot of money to find a great, memorable gift to say thank you to your
child's teacher.
Community Involvement
Fenenbock and Berman are looking forward to participating in their new
community, starting with a street fair next month in Ossining. The community
has been very supportive, and The Art Barn’s owners are looking
forward to participating in many local events.
“The Art Barn has been a fixture in Ossining,” says Fenenbock,
“and I believe that we have a responsibility that comes with that
reputation.”
They are currently working out the details for a contest open to community
residents (no professional artists allowed!)
to design a mural for the north side of The Art Barn building. There
will be a cash prize, and The Art Barn will provide the materials. Contest
guidelines are being worked out now, but the theme is likely to focus
on life in Ossining, or the town's history and cultures.
They’re also planning a series of “Special Sundays,”
where the store, which is normally closed on Sunday, will be open for
special events to benefit various community organizations.
A recent event was inspired by Jean Marie Hodio, a designer for the
store and a long-time employee, who was on her way to the Grand Canyon
to participate in a fund-raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society. Ten percent of all sales made during “Special Sunday”
were donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The afternoon was
so successful that Fenenbock is looking forward to doing more benefit
events for other charities.
“The customers loved it, and we felt good because we were helping
a great cause,” she said.
Plans for the Future
The Gallery @ 211, the store’s popular gallery, will be refurbished
this summer and will re-open in the fall. The Gallery will feature local
artists working in a variety of media on a wide range of themes.
“It won’t just be Hudson River art, although some will definitely
be included,” Fenenbock said. “We will feature a new exhibit
every two months, and there will be a special public celebration for
each new exhibit.”
The owners would like to add an arts center to The Art Barn with a special
space for artists and writers or an art cooperative. They are beautifying
the store, and exploring ideas to encourage community engagement.
The Art Barn is located at 211 North Highland Avenue (Route 9) in Ossining,
telephone (914) 762-4997. The store is open Monday through Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
