Concord Business Closes Doors and Opens Anew

What happens at the end of a dance? You find another rhythm to which you can move.

Concord self-made artist Deb Gagnon, former owner of Show Hoppers Dance Boutique, is doing just that with her reinvented business, ARThou.

Gagnon, 55, opened her new store, located at 65 South Main St., in mid-October, three months after closing Show Hoppers. With a desire to keep dancing, Gagnon leaned on her artistic abilities and began feverishly creating unique items to sell in her store. There are purses made from vinyl records, a pinball machine turned coffee table, a dog bed made from an old suitcase, and a dresser painted pink and black with an image of Audrey Hepburn that spans across the front.

“I like to make something beautiful out of something that’s been thrown away,” Gagnon explained. “I took a table leg, some wooden shingles, and cupcake holders to design a colorful, larger-than-life dragonfly, which has become my new mascot.”

For years, a papier-mâché ballerina that Gagnon handmade twirled in midair outside Show Hoppers storefront. Today, it rests in a crafting space in the back of her new store, watching Gagnon as she transforms many discarded, everyday things into art.

Gagnon opened Show Hoppers Dance Boutique with her daughter, Sarah, about seven years ago. It used to be on Pleasant Street Extension until they relocated the store in 2012 to South Main Street for better visibility in Concord’s performing arts community.

With a significant decline in sales, Gagnon decided to close the business this summer.

“It was very sad,” Gagnon said. “I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. My granddaughter, Kaylee, who became a member of the Boston Ballet at age 10, was the inspiration for that store.”

Gagnon said when she and her daughter started the boutique in 2007, they saw a need for dance supplies in Concord, with several dance schools and performing arts venues in the area.

“The Internet took over and put me out of business,” Gagnon claimed. “People could buy dance supplies much cheaper online.”

ARThou’s inventory is ever-changing with something special for everyone. Gagnon said she believes that her whimsical art, upholstered furniture, and other locally made, and vintage items offer a new and different appeal to shoppers. “People will find one-of-a-kind things here,” she said.

Gagnon consigns some of her space to local artists, too. She currently has a display of handpainted earrings, barrettes, and necklaces made by jeweler Kathleen Sirois of Warner, who uses copper in her designs. There is also a gentleman artist, Cam Sargent, who specializes in New England Railroad Art and sells his framed prints.

And, there is Hannah, a teen artist from Concord who makes and sells survival bracelets. which are made of weaved nylon cording that can be unraveled and used as rope.

“I have met some really interesting and wonderful people since ARThou’s been open,” Gagnon said. “I’ve already sold some of my larger pieces like the Audrey Hepburn dresser, and a refurbished side table. It makes me happy to reupholster furniture, and create unique pieces from old things.”

Gagnon said she is open to consigning more artists whose work will complement ARThou’s funky motif.

“I made this into a sofa,” Gagnon exclaimed, as she stood next to a claw foot tub that she painted, and outfitted with a custom-designed cushioned seat, and an array of her handmade throw pillows. “I am filled with joy when I hear how enthusiastic my new customers are about what I am doing. Upcycling is eco-friendly and more people are turning toward buying repurposed things for their home or business.”

The idea for the store didn’t come to her immediately, she stated. In fact, it took about a year and a half for the realization to take shape.

“I had a dream in which the name of the store was revealed to me - ARThou. I remember waking up and writing it down. But the name ARThou was puzzling to me and it wasn’t spelled correctly. I broke down the word: Art - Thou and looked up the definitions.”

Art is to create something that evokes emotion and is beautiful. Thou is an old term for you. The message became clearer.

“I am supposed to be using my God-given gifts, and I am finally embracing that I am an artist,” Gagnon said, with a smile. “This is my new dance and I am grateful for how I got here.”

ARThou is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The store is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information, call Deb Gagnon, artist and owner, at 603-229-0205.

Photo captions: ARThou, a new store on South Main Street, features upcycled items, vintage finds, and locally made art. Self-made artist and ARThou owner Deb Gagnon sells vintage things like jewelry, purses, and home decor, reupholstered furniture, and art that she makes using recycled items. Below, Gagnon stands behind a claw foot tub she converted into a sofa.