Norwalk Town Money Saver | June FOM

Norwalk Arts Center Offers the Community SOMETHING TO “CHAIR-ISH”

by Madeline Roche, NorwalkOhioNews.com

e Norwalk Arts Center is o ering the public a piece of Norwalk history. A limited quantity of original seats from the historic Norwalk eatre are being renovated and sold. ey had been in the theater at 57 E. Main St. for nearly 80 years. Money raised from this endeavor will bene t the Norwalk Arts Center (NAC)—the non-pro t organization that now owns the theater and is in the process of restoring and updating it.

“We are super excited. People have actually come to us wanting the seats, so this is a great way for our community to have a piece of local history but still have their own personal air,” said Brooke Gfell, who serves as chairwoman for the NAC marketing committee.

Each chair purchase includes the original metal supports, sandblasted by Custom Metal Works. e chairs will be repainted in the customer’s choice of a black, bronze or pewtr nish, and the arm rests will be sanded and re nished.

Buyers will bring an email con rmation to Norwalk Fabric Outlet at 32 W. Main St. ey can then choose from hundreds of fabrics.

Owner Bev Boguszewski said she is ready to begin. “I love the project,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful that it’s giving people the oppotunity to buy them.” Boguszewski said she has all kinds of fabric available for people to choose from. Each chair uses about a yard or a yard and a quarter of fabric.

Norwalk Fabric Outlet had its rst day back in business on May 13. Like the majority of retail businesses in Ohio, it had been closed since March 19 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ve been busy. Customers are glad we’re back,” Boguszewski said.

A er buyers choose their fabric, the chair will be ready for pick-up within 45 days. Reupholstery work will be completed by local cra sman Al Lesch of Lesch Upholstery. He is also an advisory board member for Norwalk Arts Center. Lesch, who has been doing upholstery for his whole life, said he is going to do whatever it’s going to take on this project. “It’s such a part of Norwalk history. ey are such well-built seats. It’s really nice to be able to save some,” Lesch ssaid. “People will be buying a completely renovated seat, which will really be nice.”

Lesch and Boguszewski organized a way to keep track of the fabric and work needed for the project. One chair costs $150. Each additional chair is $100. Cast iron aisle ends are available for $50 a pair. Seats can be used for an o ce lobby, home theater or waiting room. e collaboration between Custom Metal Works, Lesch and Boguszewski, along with community support, makes this fundraiser possible.

“It’s been so amazing. We have some really cool people in this area. People are just wanting to see things succeed and it’s pretty cool,” Gfell said. Patrons can purchase the chairs by going to norwalkartscenter.org. All money collected for this fundraiser will be put directly into the capital campaign to continue Norwalk eatre’s restoration e orts.

e NAC sought $400,000 in state grant money for Phase 1 work at the theater. at work involves roof removal and replacement, ceiling demoloition, mold remediation, and HVAC removal and installation. Due to the state’s nancial troubles related to the pandemic, it is unlikely the organization will receive funding, State Rep. Dick Stein said.

Other fundraisers and events have been cancelled due to social distancing recommendations intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “We’re just trying to raise funds for the renovation. We’re here and we’re not leaving,” Gfell said.

is o cial fundraiser launched May 11. “We would love to sell them until they’re gone. ere’s a limited quantity,” Gfell said.

is story was previously published May 13, 2020 on NorwalkOhioNews.com. For Norwalk news that matters to you, subscribe to Nowalk Ohio News. A one-year subscription costs only $36. Our city. Our news.

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123 Read to Me: Bookshelves are placed throughout our community and stocked with books for children to take home.

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