The Shop will be reopened!

Great news, all. The new owners of Presscraft Papers will be reopening the shop on 5/22/2010! They have been accepting orders through the website, www.gwenfrostic.com, for a little while, but now you will be able to visit Gwen's magical studio in person. I believe the owners are also planning a grand reopening party in June, but no details yet.

Great News!

Another quick update:

The new owners have put up a message on www.gwenfrostic.com stating that they will be filling the orders that had been previously placed in the coming weeks! They are also hoping to reopen the shop in the very near future!

More details here.

Gwen Frostic is sold

It looks like the Lorenz's were able to buy the business back from Honor State Bank, which they then sold, but the bank still owns the building and land.

The best part- the new owners want to reopen and keep the business in Benzie county!

more here:

http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/6282

Another quick update

According to this article in the Traverse City Record Eagle, the bank that foreclosed on the shop is in contact with several possible buyers of the shop, all of whom are interested in re-opening the shop.

Quick Update

Here is a short update from IPR (Interlochen Public Radio)

It touches on why the shop was closed and raises the question of who owns the copyrights to Gwen's work.

I honestly don't know if the owners will be able to scrape up the cash by Friday, but if not, my sincere wish is that whoever does buy it will keep Gwen's legacy in mind and do her proud.

Update & Game Plan

I heard back from Pam Lorenz about what kind of support the Gwen Frostic shop can use. Apparently the bank that has foreclosed on the shop is planning an auction on January 8th, and it sounds like they are more interested in going that route than working with the current owners to pay down the debt. While I have some things I'd like to say about this, I'd rather we focus on what we can do to keep the shop open and in the spirit that Gwen founded it in, rather than point fingers and lay blame.

It looks like we are shooting for $150,000- a daunting task, certainly, but not impossible.

So, if you'd like to help, Pam has agreed to accept donations to this goal in their 'Beyond Time' account (this effort was made to bring Gwen's designs into the new generation- jewelry, throws, pillows, etc). She has also informed me that if the effort is not successful then the money will be returned to the donators.

Donations can be sent to:

Pam Lorenz, (c/o Beyond Time/Gwen Frostic Prints), 112 N. Benzie Blvd., Beulah, MI 49617

If you do decide to donate- please also consider dropping us an email at savegwenfrostic@gmail.com so that we can keep track of how we are doing.

Quick update

I've emailed Pam Lorenz at the shop to ask her if they are still trying to reopen the shop, and if they would be interested in taking donations for that purpose. When we hear back, then we'll have a better idea of the next steps to take.

Pam's response:

thank you so much for your support and loyalty, plus your kind words. We are very sad too, as the bank has just been unwilling to do anything we have suggested. I would be honored if you wanted to start a website like you said. Thank you so much. I would be ever so appreciated and so would the staff. we are a little discouraged right now. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Pam Lorenz