CHANGE CAN WORK
by
Maryann Miller

When one door closes, another one opens. It appears that adage can apply to businesses as well as changes in personal lives, and Winnsboro seems to be able to adapt to change.

For example, a new store just opened in the historic downtown area -- the Winnsboro Emporium, owned by Conrad Wolfman. While he freely admits his store will not have the flair of of the Winnsboro Gallery that is closing at the end of this month, he will fill a little niche by carrying work by local artists.

The store, which is more than just a store, is a gallery and Conrad hopes a gathering place for people to browse and visit and find some treasure to take home with them.

He has paintings by Grahame Hopkins, Margit Iguchi, Efton Edwards, and Jory Sherman, as well as prints and sculpture by Bonnie Sir Kegian. (Conrad is pictured below on the right with Jory Sherman.)

For music lovers, the store features videos and CDs of Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne, a few selected videos from Crossroads performances, along with some classic record albums; Benny Goodman, George Gershwin, and Dave Brubeck.

"Oops, that one's gone," Conrad said. "Loyd Moody bought it today. That was my first sale."

From his own extensive collection of books and art, Conrad has a number of items for sale including some classic science fiction books and nonfiction covering a wide variety of topics from history to philosophy.

On a table for local authors, visitors can find books by Conrad, Joe Dan Boyd, Jory Sherman and myself.

There was an opening day reception for the Emporium on March 13 that had visitors stopping by from 12 to 4 to see the new store, visit with some of the featured artists and enjoy refreshments catered by Art & Espresso. "Margit made some of the cookies, too," Conrad said. "It is so great that we have people and businesses in town that can do such a great job and help a fella out."

Conrad, a professional videographer, is well known around Winnsboro for his work as well as his support of local artists, musicians, and writers. He has taped performances at Crossroads Music Company, plays at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts, and performances at Brewbaker's Pub. He also donates his time to shoot video for the First Baptist Church in Winnsboro, where he is a member.

A lot of the people who know Conrad came by that day, and there was a steady stream of visitors. Lindy Hearne and his daughter, Kate dropped in and Kate picked up the guitar that Conrad has handy for anyone who would like to strum a little. Kate is currently having carpel tunnel issues, so Dad had to help her.

But she didn't need any help in playing the grand piano, which is also there for anyone to play if the inclination strikes.

One of the things Conrad wanted people to take special note of was the Quilt in a Day Pioneer Sampler made by Winnsboro Quilter, Janet Lohr. The Quilt in a Day technique was developed by Eleanor Burns and is a unique approach to quilting.

The quilt is among the items for sale at the Winnsboro Emporium, but until it sells, "it can hang there behind the piano," Conrad said. "It looks good there."

Joe Dan Boyd was one of the other visitors who picked up the guitar to do a little strumming.

Conrad plans for the Emporium to be open Monday through Friday from 11:30 in the morning until 8 at night, Saturday from 10 until 8, and he hopes that some other stores will start having more evening hours as well. "We need to be open when people get off work," he said. "As well as on Saturdays. If enough businesses would stay open, we could promote that and bring more people here."

Conrad also hopes to attract visitors to his store from people who go to the downtown restaurants that are open in the evenings. "If people are waiting for a table, they could come down here and browse while they are waiting."

A Winnsboro resident for several years now, Conrad came from the Dallas area and enjoys small-town living. He is a great supporter of the town, all the businesses in town, as well as Crossroads, his church, and the Art Center. He is a bachelor, so to him this is "family."