VALENTINE'S WEEK: A Wondrous Selection of Valentine Gifts for your Sweetheart, Mother, Grammy or Even Your Next Door Neighbor

ORIGINAL ART & UNIQUE OBJECTS

VALENTINE'S
AT STILL POINT

STILL POINT GALLERY
& BOUTIQUE

CURATED ART & GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Tuesday thru Saturday
11:00 - 5:00

"Winter Starlings & Weeping Birch" Collector's Ed of 10 Chagrin Valley, C.G. Baker, 2023

Valentine's Day presents yet another occasion to express our appreciation for the extraordinary support of our customers and this community, including our outstanding neighboring businesses (Parnell's Pub, Appletree Books, Zhug and Vero's Pizza). The now slightly hackneyed expression, "Buy Local," still remains the lifeblood axiom for all of us small businesses and Still Point could not have flourished without such generous local support.

Looking at a "Buy Local" flier we found in the door a few days ago, we were reminded of the value small businesses contribute on the local level. Without enumerating the full list of statistics, we would note a couple of key points in the flier; that small businesses are this country's principal economic drivers with 90% of new jobs coming from local employers and returning $68 of every $100 to the community in local sales revenue. By comparison, large national and chain stores return only $43 (58% less than local retailers). Apart from the quantifiable differences, we believe the qualitative distinctions, as hard as they may be to measure, really constitute the most relevant value. Small, one-of-a-kind retail businesses are dedicated to providing goods and services tailored to the direct interests and needs of community; a meaningful contrast with the large chains that must select products on the basis of a national sales plan. In our own case, the selection, procurement and curation of art, jewelry, apparel and a variety of unique objects and gift items have been critical to our original vision and sustaining our mission. It's really the small retail businesses that provide the character that distinguish communities from one another. Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts. and our other neighboring towns are recognized nationwide for their progressive, diverse populations and their strong midwestern values and strong support of local commerce.

FinalIy, I must confess, Valentine's Day has extra meaning for Geoff, me and our associates as it coincides with our move five years ago into the Cedar Fairmount Historic District after nine years in Little Italy's old schoolhouse. The gallery had grown exponentially so we were a little tentative about another location but the new neighborhood, with its proximity to Cleveland Hts., Shaker and other local communities, even its easy access to west-siders, provided the promise for a good match. And so, as we celebrate our 5th anniversary at Cedar Rd. and Fairmount this Valentine's Day, we shall not fail to gratefully acknowledge and thank our customers for their welcoming support and their great goodwill.

Very best,

Kate

In the spirit of good humor, we acknowledge the growing trend of Galentine’s Day, a relatively new tradition emanating from the TV series Parks & Recreation. Accordingly, February 13^th is now a day to recognize your girl friend or BFF with a small present. We have all kinds of gifts and ideas.

REMEMBER(ING)

Valentine's Day for us, and perhaps many of you, marks an awareness of lengthening days, the proverbial light at tunnel's end and a first portent of spring. It also reminds us that a year ago we we were beginning to emerge from the enormity of the pandemic and the peak of the Omicron wave, wondering what potential the new year held for a return to normality. As the fates had it, most of us would emerge relatively intact, thankful to celebrate possibility after two years of uncertainty.

And as Valentine's Day arrives at the inflection point of our intolerance for gray skies and the promise of spring's renewal with the greening of the landscape, it also provides an occasion to celebrate the return to a semblance of normality and to let others know we care with a gift, flowers or a special meal. Though we can't provide that festive dinner or libation ( our neighbors, Zhug, Parnell's, Vero's are all excellent and highly recommended), we can provide a wealth of original art, jewelry, apparel, unique objects and ideas.

A small sampling (below) of items to consider for close "others" this Valentine's Day is displayed below.