RELATED: $500K artist studios coming to downtown Springfield
A St. Louis native, Frates perfected his craft of designing hand-blown glass artwork in Arizona. But he eventually settled in Springfield because of the opportunities available and the lower cost of living.
The move will provide him with more space to produce his artwork, and will free up space downtown for another business, he said. The new location will provide about 7,000 square feet of additional space, compared to the current work space, he said. Records from the Clark County Auditor’s Office show the purchase price listed at $120,000.
“Now we’re in a good spot,” Frates said. “We’re ready to expand and we’re excited about moving to that area to revitalize the community a little bit as well as add employees and make our company a better company.”
The move will likely allow Frates to add at least one employee initially but the goal is to continue to add staff as the business expands. Most of the company’s hand-blown glass designs are sold outside of Ohio, including to individual collectors, designers and the hospitality industry. On Tuesday, Frates and his employees Dustin Wagner and Adam Colliton crafted a rounded glass bowl for a Las Vegas casino. In all, the business has four employees, he said.
The move will also free up space for another business that might be a good fit downtown, he said. A handful of independent businesses have moved into locations on Fountain Avenue in recent years including Revival: The Art of Healing Yoga Studio and Winan’s Chocolates and Coffees.
But the important thing about the new facility is the space it will offer, he said.
“Really what it came down to is its an ideal building for what we do and it will allow us to grow for the long-term of the business,” Frates said. “We just ran out of room and that’s the bottom line.”
The company will also host a Christmas glass auction at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company, 109 W. North St. in Springfield.
About the Author