Jean’s Crafts has been in the neighborhood for more than 25 years. The local craft store has stood at its current location, at 2363 E. Allegheny Ave., for 12 years and serves residents of Port Richmond, Fishtown and Kensington.
Jennifer Vranizan, a Port Richmond resident, runs the store with another woman and said the customers that come in looking for crafts are oftentimes regular shoppers.
Vranizan said the most popular items in the store are the homemade bows. The multi-colored bows were first made in commemoration of Desert Storm in the 1990s.
“People come all over to get bows,” Vranizan said. “There’s even a Facebook page about it with 57 hits.”
The furthest distance a person traveled to the craft store to get a bow was from the Jersey shore. The American Cancer Society purchased 300 purple bows and sold them to raise money for its organization.
“We have bows for every holiday,” Vranizan said. “My favorite is the red, white and blue bows. They show patriotism.”
Upon entering Jean’s Crafts, there is a display of an assortment of multi-colored bows. Towards the back of the store, there is a station where the bows are specially made and next to the cash register, there is a sign that reads “Police support bows.”
Employees and friends of the store make bows and other crafts to raise money for local charities and organizations. The next big event they are participating in is on Labor Day.
From bows, to graduation decorations and teddy bear noses, Jean’s Crafts serves as a local haven for crafty residents looking to start or continue creative projects.
When did Jean’s close? Is she selling her bows any where else?