Published: July 13, 2008 09:07 pm            

BUSINESS: Scrapbook and card making store moves to Lockview Plaza

The door to the Scrap N Stamp Emporium was propped open Thursday, as a nice breeze moved through the store. People passed by, but it was still pretty quiet outside in the Lockview Plaza on Main Street in Lockport.

Scrap N Stamp began its third year of business in May, and recently moved to its new location in the plaza July 1. Part of the reason for the move was the scenic and somewhat calm environment on the canal side of the plaza. Scrap N Stamp was on Transit Road for about a year before owner Kim Chenez moved to the plaza. Prior to that, the store was on Davison Road in Lockport.

“It’s cozy. It has more of a country atmosphere,” Chenez said. “Overlooking the locks, you can hear the church chimes. It’s just so relaxing to be able to come in here, compared to the hustle and bustle of Transit.”

Being in the plaza puts Scrap N Stamp within walking distance of a few tourist attractions.

“We get a lot of foot traffic that we didn’t get on Transit,” added Marion Clute, who works at the store as Chenez’s assistant. “People going to the cave, people going on the boat tours. We get a lot of them coming in.”

Both said they have met different kinds of people from all over the country, including Florida, California and a few from all over Western New York. There is also a customer base that has followed Scrap N Stamp to its new location.

Scrap N Stamp specializes in providing supplies for making scrapbooks or cards. Chenez said the vast majority of her materials come from “mom n’ pop” stores, although she can’t avoid carrying some of the bigger name brands. If she doesn’t have something in stock, Chenez said she is able to get anything a person might need for the craft.

There are also classes available to help those who may want some help in creating a card or scrapbook. People can also rent a table in the store for $5 a day during the week and have access to materials.

“We try to make it as friendly as possible,” Chenez said. “People are sometimes less confident about projects, but they can do it. We try to go above and beyond.”

On Saturdays, the store also offers a more social event called “Crops.” Chenez opens the store and has fellow scrapbookers come together to work on different projects. They help each other out, but it is more of a fellowship gathering event, Chenez said.

Chenez said scrapbooking can be addictive, and anyone can do it. For those who might think they aren’t creative enough, Chenez tells them it’s the same thing they learned in elementary school: “There’s no right or wrong way to do it.”

Clute agreed, but said it was Chenez and her attitude that helps people the most. Clute said a while ago, she wanted to get started in making cards, but didn’t know how until Chenez sat down with her.

Scrapbooking offers people a relaxing and creative way to remember events, Chenez said. It can be good therapy, and it is easy to get started, she added.

“It helps capture memories,” she said. “No matter what page you’re looking at, you can feel what they experienced at that time. Your whole heart is in it.”

Scrap N Stamp is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Crops take place at 4 p.m. Saturday and continue until the last person leaves, Chenez said.

Contact reporter Joe Olenickat 439-9222, ext. 6241.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.