Gentle Event celebrates a grand opening

By Alannah Allbrett

Gentle Event is a new store opening in downtown Orofino. The store is a collection of dealers displaying their unique wares in an indoor mall setting. Each vendor has a customized booth or wall space to display items ranging from fine art to antiques, crafts, toys, and photography. One may also find unusual items such as hand-sewn fabric bowls, stone candle holders, jalapeño jam, custom walking sticks, birdhouses, and glass insulators, to name a few.

Gentle Event is located at 249 Johnson Avenue (at the corner of First Street). It opens for business March 21, and an open house celebration is scheduled for Saturday, March 24. [NOTE: The date listed in the printed Clearwater Tribune was incorrect.]

Owner, Jeannie Hodges laughingly said, “The hours for the open house are from 9 a.m. that morning to whenever.” A barbeque lunch is scheduled from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free hot dogs, soda, cake, and coffee will be served. Pansies will be given to visitors as well. Jeannie said, “It’s just a chance for everyone to see what is in the store.”

Jeannie, former owner of Simply Amazing, has a background in art and photography. After suffering a debilitating automobile accident almost two years ago, that left her without the use of her right arm, Jeannie wanted to get involved again in a business that would serve the community.

Jeannie wanted to provide a place for people to sell items which they create. Some of her own artwork, posters, and cards from her former store are once again available.

The name Gentle Event, Jeannie says, was derived from a scientific term – when two opposing forces come together, creating a reconciling principle, or gentle event. She said it kind of sounds like her life, after experiencing the loss of her husband Jim Hodges in 2008, and her accident, Jeannie wanted to give something back to the community after all the help she’s received. This store represents a new start, not only for her, but a place where community art can flourish.

Many friends helped Jeannie get the building refurbished. Rene Matney, Jim Bentle, Joseph Watkins and others, pitched in to help paint and replace flooring. Flooring came from Hills Flooring in Orofino.

Come on out and see the beautiful new store. Regular store hours will be Wednesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. And on Saturdays, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Vendor rental space is priced reasonably from $10 to $35 per month, with no commissions from sales taken by the owner. Sellers are able to set their own prices and manage their own merchandise. For information call Jeannie Hodges at 476-5700.