Curtis Steiner and his customers mourned when he was forced to close Souvenir in January. Now, Steiner is opening a new shop, titled Curtis Steiner, a few doors down from where Souvenir was located.
In January, Curtis Steiner, owner of the former decorative art gallery, Souvenir, announced that he was forced to close his shop by his landlord.
The landlord from Mycon Property Management plans to renovate the upper floors of the Ballard Avenue building in which Souvenir was located and intended to turn Steiner's space into an elevator shaft and stairwell for the upper floors.
With great sadness and anger, fans and friends of Steiner watched Souvenir close its doors in February. But Steiner is opening a new store, simple called Curtis Steiner, a few doors down from where Souvenir was.
"Ten days before I had to be out of the shop, someone told me about this space. It's very luck I got the lease," Steiner said.
Opening on the corner of Ballard Avenue and 22nd, in the former space of Guitar Emprium, Curtis Steiner will bring fans the same hand-picked selection of handmade art and jewelry that gained Steiner international acclaim.
"I'm refining it and doing it better," Steiner said, adding that he's working on the shop's atmosphere as well as the selection.
Steiner said the gallery space is bigger than his former shop and he will carry more limited edition handmade art and jewelry from other artists in addition to his own art.
Steiner said he has been working feverishly since he received the keys to prepare for the big opening on May 1.
"I'm not going to write my former landlord a Thank You card, but everything is working out well," Steiner said.
Curtis Steiner will open Sunday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at 5349 Ballard Ave N.W.
For more information, please visit Curtissteiner.com.
