AVON LAKE, Ohio -- Life has come full circle for Avon Lake resident Jennifer Birk. She is about to celebrate the grand opening of her new store, Talents •Gifts•Boutique•Home•Market, 33491 Lake Road, at 4 p.m. Nov. 1.
The location is in Beach Park Station shopping plaza, which holds lots of memories for Birk. She grew up in Avon Lake and always dreamed of owning a business in the city.
Birk and her husband, Brian,were high school sweethearts and graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1989. Their first date was at the Avon Lake movie theater, which was in the same building where they are now opening their business.
And Jennifer Birk’s first job was at the bakery in the same building.
Brian’s great-grandfather was a Motorman for the Lake Shore Electric Railway based out of Beach Park Station. And Brian’s grandfather would empty the trash bins at the Saddle Inn above the plaza.
“I do beach glass jewelry,” said Jennifer. “I started with that six years ago. I sold my items up in Coldwater, Mich., where my family has a lake house. I did really well. That got me really motivated.
“I then started finding boutiques around here and started doing that, but my vision was always to have my own place. I really stalked this space (Beach Park Station) and knew it would be perfect for my vision.”
A nurse by profession, Jennifer worked at Our Lady of the Wayside for many years, but always enjoyed crafting and making things to sell. She loves art, history and supporting all types of creators.
She chose the name Talents for her business because she knew so many talented people. She also has a knack for throwing great parties and is a talented decorator.
“Talents will have something for everyone in all price ranges,” Jennifer said in a press release. “From nostalgic candy to fine art, our customers will be thrilled to shop with us.
“DiFiore Designs is creating original spirit wear. Gold Arrow Studio will have Avon Lake jewelry, as well as their well-known boho jewelry. Tori Rudkin from Avon Lake High School is bringing her college spirit items, as well as her mom’s beach glass art.”
The long list of other items for sale at Talents also includes Joda-Ly Jewelry (Jennifer’s designs), shadow boxes, dog toys and accessories, winter accessories, loungewear, Potter’s Perch pottery, floral creations, bath bombs, gift baskets, ornaments, embroidered towels and baskets, candles, trendy tumblers and glasses, home decor, items for the kids and a section of books from local authors.
“My cousin does pottery and she is from Michigan,” said Jennifer. “Another friend does beach glass art. I wanted Talents to be the nicest products I could find.
“About 90 percent of the people selling items in the store are handpicked. I really wanted a nice mix of talented people. My goal is to make sure all my vendors are happy and successful. I want people to feel ownership.”
In addition to the many vendors selling items at Talents, the location will also spotlight various artists right as you enter the store. The first artist on display is Robert Stella.
Longtime Avon Lake residents will remember him as the owner of the former Stella’s Italian Restaurant in Avon Lake. During the pandemic, he started experimenting with various art media, and now at the age of 88, he spends his retirement expressing himself through paintings with a combination of brush and palette knife techniques.
“We will also spotlight a student artist,” said Jennifer. “Avon Lake High School student Hattie Hobar will have her award-winning sculptures on display.”
Jennifer credits her supportive family for helping Talents become a reality.
“My family has been so supportive,” she said. “My husband calls himself my silent partner and he has been so sweet to set this all up. All of my family have just been so great.
“I really want this little area (Beach Park Station) to be a place where people come to eat and shop. I always refer to this store as ‘Talents;’ I want people to say you can buy this at ‘Talents.’ I want it to roll off people’s tongues so they know this is where they can go to find stuff.
“This area should be hopping now.
“And another reason Brian and I love Beach Park Station is that our first house we lived in as newlyweds was on York Street, which is a very short walk to Beach Park Station. We used to enjoy walking over there to listen to music and dance at a nightclub that used to be there. So many wonderful memories.”
Jennifer is still deciding on the hours of operation for Talents, but notes that it will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For more information, go to talentsgifts.com, or follow Talents on Facebook. Email address is Talentsinavonlake@gmail.com.
“Not only is this business in a focus area in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan, but it is in an area being transformed by the demolition and eventual redevelopment of the Avon Lake Power Plant,” Ted Esborn, Avon Lake’s community development director, said in the press release.
“We look forward to Talents being part of that long-term transformation of the city’s west end.”
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