Abington Small Business Spotlight: 245 North

ABINGTON, PA -- Towns so often take their character from the entrepreneurial spirit that shapes its shops, storefronts, and downtown areas. Patch's Small Business Spotlight series aims to shine a light on local business owners with a strong sense of place, with a business rooted in the community and its people. This week's spotlight is on the art gallery 245 North.

Business: 245 North LLC (a collective gallery)

Owners: Robin A. Beall, Monica Barrington & Sharisma Herrmann

Address: Keswick Village, 245 North Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038

How did you come up with the name?

"After researching successful ways of naming art galleries, we took some marketing advice in selecting a name that people would connect with where they are. Our name is our address."

Why start a business in this town?

"Glenside, and Keswick Village specifically, are growing and upcoming. There was no better option to opening an art gallery than in the lovely, walk-able, area of Keswick Village."

What business are you in?

"Retail art gallery, currently showcasing over 23 local artists to help them promote their work and names and grow their own business."

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

"Although we’ve been fairly successful at it, attracting customers with no advertising budget has certainly been a challenge."

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

"Our grand opening certainly was a proud night with approximately 300 people from all around the community joining us, and also receiving an email from the Abington Township Economic Development Committee informing us that they selected us as an award recipient (event on 1/4/17)."

How does your business give back to the community?

"With only being opened for three months now, we don’t have a lot of community give back to speak on yet, but we do participate in the Keswick Village Business Association events and we had a book release event for Daniel Kaye’s new book “Never Take A Hermit Crab For Granted” with all proceeds of book and t-shirt sales going directly to Abington PAL and CAPT (Citizens and Police Together) and we continued, after the event, to be an outlet for purchasing his book and shirts."

Know of a business that deserves the spotlight? Email justin.heinze@patch.com.

Image via 245 North.