Hessler on the Heights opens on Lee Road

Michelle Sokol poses with her tie-dye work at Hessler on the Heights.

The pop-up holiday store at 2174 Lee Road—Hessler on the Heights—is here to stay. The gift shop and gallery, which had its official opening on Feb. 10, sells the works of individual artists, including tie-dye, jewelry, teas and herbs, clothing, accessories, edibles, cards, journals, salsas, soaps, botanicals and wood products.

Among the artists whose work is included are Michelle Sokol (tie-dye), Faith McFluff (clothing), Marci Zabell, Beth Lewin (pottery), Joan Diouf (botanicals), Blaze Gourmet, Carol Van Diest (Krew Designs), Faustino Enriquez, Cecie Mack, Eve 'n' Stephen and Carl Jones. "There's something here for everyone," said Sokol, a longtime Heights resident.

When the holiday season ended, several of the artists represented at the store made the decision to stay open year-round. In addition to selling the work of local artisans, the shop will serve the community with meeting rooms and a wellness center at the back of the store. The wellness center will provide yoga, massages and counseling.

Sokol, whose main artistic interests are silk painting and tie-dye, has been involved in the arts for most of her life. She painted murals as a student at Mayfield High School and was an art major at Lake Erie College. She has been involved with the Hessler Street Fair for more than 25 years, beginning as a vendor and becoming a committee organizer seven years ago.

More than 125 people showed up for the grand-opening celebration. It was a very "mixed crowd," according to Sokol. People of all ages enjoyed live music, refreshments, sock puppetry and a drumming workshop.

Sokol said that many of the items at the store cannot be found anywhere else. There is repurposed clothing made by Faith McFluff, who has been voted Cleveland's best recycled clothing designer. Eve and Stephen Morris sell green products, such as washable sandwich bags and drying racks. There are also handmade journals, cards and photo albums and an assortment of teas and herbs.

The Hessler artists also offer workshops—recent offering have covered juggling, sock puppetry and drumming. Yoga workshops are offered on Sundays, and all workshops are open to the public. For more information on upcoming events, visit the Hessler on the Heights Facebook page.

Hessler on the Heights is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Simone Quartell

Simone Quartell, a Heights High graduate, is a student at Cleveland State University and a Heights Observer intern.

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Volume 6, Issue 3, Posted 11:08 AM, 02.19.2013