By Patrick Yeagle
A new gift shop featuring original art is holding its grand opening this month.
Daisy Jane's is set to officially open on March 28 at 424 E. Monroe St. The shop carries art from local and international artists.
Julia Johnson, owner of Daisy Jane's, says the shop was open for a few days before Christmas, but the space wasn't completely ready until recently. Johnson says she has always enjoyed creating art, but it wasn't until her daughters grew up that Johnson had enough time to seriously pursue it. She started selling her art at Studio on 6th and later became part owner of Wild Rose artisan boutique downtown. Eventually, Johnson decided to open her own shop.
"I've been taking baby steps," Johnson joked.
Daisy Jane's will feature Johnson's art, as well as art from eight or nine other artists. Johnson says she has also been purchasing art from around the world to sell at the shop.
"It's filling up slowly," she said, "but it takes a while."
At least one artist at the shop is a familiar name in Springfield. Roosevelt Pratt previously ran The African Hut art shop a couple of doors down from Daisy Jane's current location on Monroe. Pratt closed the shop in 2014 after about a decade in Springfield to relocate to St. Louis. He says he's eager to return to Springfield and offer African arts and crafts here once again. Pratt also offers French tutoring.
"I'm back home," he said.
Johnson says the decision to locate her shop downtown was easy.
"I love downtown," she said. "I love visitors; I love talking to people on their lunch breaks. I think we’re going to grow again. I think this is going to be a happening place again, and I want to be part of that."
Contact Patrick Yeagle at patrick@springfieldbusinessjournal.com.