HOLLAND TWP. — Customers will soon be able to enjoy Art as a Lifestyle in a new location following an announcement the business is moving into The Bluestocking Bookshop.
Owner Maranda Shear said the move, to 501 Butternut Drive, is expected to start on Sept. 1 and the business will reopen Sept. 6 for candle making. Art as a Lifestyle was previously sharing space at the Not So Shabby Marketplace.
“We have already moved some things over to the bookshop, our art supplies and other little stuff that doesn’t have anything to do with candles,” Shear said. “Some of the stuff is moved but a lot is going to be moving slowly over the next few weeks.”
Art as a Lifestyle first opened in the fall of 2018 and was located in the Holland Town Center. It is home to Candle-ology, a business where customers can create their own soap, lotion and candle scents.
Shear said the business has gone through several moves and the hope is that the new location offers added flexibility and availability for Shear and her customers. Her plan is to train bookshop employees on the candle making process so the business can operate when she’s not there.
“Personally, I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t be at Shabby as much as I want to be,” Shear said. “It’s kind of leaving the candle bar in more of an absentee parent situation. If I’m not available, it just kind of sits there.”
More:Art as a Lifestyle brings Candle-ology, local artwork to Holland Town Center
Shear said she sees the potential in the business, which is fed by both return customers and those trying it for their first time. Following a lunch with The Bluestocking Bookshop ownership, it was clear the move made sense for both parties.
“It’s going to be fantastic to have it in a place that is fully staffed and open several days a week,” Shear. “Just having another set of bodies that can do the thing is huge. Big changes, big move, but it’s going to be fantastic.”
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Moving forward, Shear and ownership for the bookshop are working on a schedule and will still largely be appointment based. Updates will be posted in the coming weeks.
“This is a dream come true,” Shear said. “I was asking where we were going to go from here and to have someone like (R. Aimee Chipman, owner of The Bluestocking Bookshop) and the community that she has supporting her, it’s a big deal for us.”
To learn more, visit Art as a Lifestyle on Facebook or at artasalifestyle.com.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz atametz@hollandsentinel.com.
