Experience Kaleidoscope

The newly opened Kaleidoscope Custom Goods in Sugarcreek is a haven for local artists, and that’s 
by design.

“We wanted to take our business skills and apply them in a way that allows us to give back to the community and interact with people,” said Keith Fockler, who owns the store with his wife, Lindsay.

“By helping the artisan segment of the population, we felt like we could give them a leg up … help them to grow their business.”

Lindsay said the new store takes the best of what you’ll find on Etsy and area flea markets and packs it all into one terrific space. “Most artists can’t afford to have a store of their own, so we’re providing it for them. We’re also handling the sales and the online selling and marketing. Our interest was to do some of the work for them so they can focus on their crafts while still being able to sell their goods at a fair price.”

The couple said that while the bulk of their inventory is from local artists, there are some items from Kentucky and Pennsylvania and one artist represented from overseas. To cater to the regular influx of tourists, as well as area folks looking for a quick gift, there is plenty of in-stock, one-of-a-kind merchandise. Eventually, they said, they hope to expand the custom aspect of artisan creativity.

“We’re hoping to offer even more items that can be personalized, or ordered specifically to suit a person’s particular tastes or style of their home,” Keith Fockler said. “Nearly all of the artists we feature offer some level of customization.”

Those artists number about 60, all housed in the 3,000-square-foot Kaleidoscope storefront. The business lives in a gorgeous vintage building the couple hopes to buy some day in an effort to add even more options, like entertainment and an enhanced concession stand with locally produced sodas and baked goods.

Until then, shoppers can enjoy a bountiful selection of things to delight the senses. In fact, the Focklers designed the flow of the store to stimulate, invigorate and inspire.

“We want Kaleidoscope to be more than just a shopping destination. We want it to be an experience,” Lindsay 
Fockler said.

The sense of taste is the first to greet you, with local organic farm fresh foods and other goodies located in the front. Next, the sense of smell is satisfied by a dizzying array of handmade candles and soap. Blankets, rugs and soft things address the sense of touch. The sense of time (this is where Lindsay Fockler’s creative liberties come into play) is represented by handmade wooden clocks. The sense of hearing features music-related goods and the sense of comfort includes home décor items and wreaths. Horses are a sense, of course, with decorations featuring horseshoes. The sense of fashion is heightened by jewelry, clothing, totes, handbags and scarves and the sense of sight by artwork and wood items. Your spiritual sense can be nurtured with crosses and faith-inspired items while your sense of enlightenment is represented by handmade lamp fixtures and candles 
without fragrance.

The Kaleidoscope experience, Keith Fockler said, is meant to slow people down and allow them to shop with a different mind-set. You’ll also get to enjoy the background information as it pertains to each artisan represented in the store, and what his or her vision is as it’s translated into a finished work.

And as part of the Fockler’s dedication to giving back to the community, one percent of each artist’s sales are donated to the charitable cause of that artist’s choice.

Kaleidoscope, which opened in July, has become an overnight sensation, and the Focklers hope that as word spreads more and more people will consider buying the locally produced treasures they sell instead of opting for mass-produced goods. “People love the fact that every piece we carry not only is handmade but also has a story behind it,” the couple said.

Kaleidoscope Custom Goods is located at 100 W. Main St. in Sugarcreek. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. The phone number is 330-852-0871. Visit the website at KaleidoscopeCustomGoods.com and the Facebook page by the same name.