Dec 11, 2007

Businesswoman turns tragedy into dream businessBy Kim McGintySantaCruzSentinel.com

Santa Cruz — Community Chest Treasures, 41st Avenue’s newest little art gallery and gift shop, is tucked amid surf shops in a mostly residential neighborhood.

The walls are floor-to-ceiling art with everything from handcrafted exotic wood surfboards to oil on canvas, framed photographs and decoupage. If you don’t want to invest in an original, there are prints that won’t break your budget. Glass shelves display one-of-a-kind jewelry, scented candles and all-natural hair and skin products. A unique array of purses, wine totes, ceramic and glass sculpture, pop-art T-shirts, coffee mugs and gift cards all attest to the old sales pitch, there’s something for everyone. In the spring herbs and vegetables from a local organic farmer will fill the welcome cart that sits out front.

Community Chest Treasures owner Jeni Brill said she chose the location “because as a neighbor in the area I have seen a need for more locally owned shops nearby.”

She doesn’t hesitate to add that the building was the original location for Santa Cruz Surf Shop, now thriving just two doors up, and hopes to benefit from the “good vibe in the walls” that may still linger.

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