Everlasting Design Welcomed to Vernon

A gift store that showcases local artists and benefits special needs clients has found a new home in one of the busiest shopping plazas in north central Connecticut.

On Thursday, Mayor Jason McCoy cut the ceremonial ribbon to welcome Everlasting Design to Vernon. He was joined by Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately. The store had been in a strip mall at the intersection of routes 6 and 66 in Columbia for 13 years.

“I would like to welcome and congratulate Everlasting Design for moving their business to our town and contributing to and enhancing Vernon’s economic landscape,” McCoy said. “At a time when our state is creating an unfriendly business environment, Vernon continues to lead the way in economic development. Our town is a great place to open and grow your business, big or small.”

And growth is something Everlasting Design has already experienced. Pam Reid, the regional administrator for Sunrise Northeast, the parent company of the store who manages it as an affiliate of the state Department of Developmental Services, said a typical early July week in Columbia would yield about $60 in sales. When the store opened eight days ago in Vernon, it did more than $300 just that day.

Reid credits store manager Vera Gray for the location. Everlasting Design is in between Rein's Deli and Dunbar Jewelers to its left and Joy Luck restaurant to its right in the Shops at 30 plaza.

“This plaza offers a great location for our business, as well as a great place for our clients,” said Vera Gray, Store Manager of Everlasting Design. “The location will help our clients – disabled citizens who hand make our items - get involved and contribute to the community. I would like to thank the landlord and the town for helping to make this move possible.”

Gray's official title is day program director for Sunrise, which is fitting because she runs the store and supervises special needs clients that keep the place clean, running and who also make some of the crafts.

The other crafts are made by local artists. The store gets to keep 25 percent of all sales, which it reinvests in client wages, and other programs, Gray said. 

Sunrise specializes in managing group homes and clients come from facilities in Vernon, Mansfield and Manchester. 

One client is Shaina Gavens from Manchester. When asked why the Vernon location was better, she did not hesitate to say, "More foot traffic and it's closer to my house.'' 

Gray said it is easier to get clients to and from the store and to draw customers.

"This is a great lease with a great landlord in a great location,'' Gray said. "I hope we can stay here for a long while.''

Zahner's Clotheirs is also set to move into the plaza shortly.