Artisan Center slated for July grand opening
Written by Andy McDonald

Despite some initial setbacks due to inclement weather, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is moving toward final completion in May of 2003.

When the facility is finished, officials say it will be stocked with retail items and displays in preparation for a grand opening in mid-July.

A lot of progress has been made on the $6 million, 26,000 square-foot building over the summer months, according to Artisan Center Executive Director Victoria Faoro. Exterior walls are in place, and construction crews are in the process of setting the building's timbers into place.

Work is also underway on the structure's Kentucky limestone walls, which will line the outer portion of the building. Faoro says the limestone was quarried in Harrodsburg Mercer Stone, and a team of five stone masons has been busy laying the walls in place. "The stone work is absolutely beautiful," Faoro says. The center will showcase work from artists and craftsmen from all over Commonwealth, and it is expected to draw an estimated 400,000 visitors to the site every year, according to some initial studies provided to the city and Berea College. Faoro said the prospect of attracting visitors is enhanced even more by the design of the center, since structure is fairly tall and will likely catch the eye of travelers on Interstate 75. "One nice surprise is that because of its height, the building will be visible from even farther down the interstate than we had imagined," Faoro says. "That means it can stimulate the interest of motorists earlier, getting them to stop."

While the center is touted as a great place to learn about and buy Kentucky arts and crafts, it's also intended to provide visitors with the chance to sample regional cuisine. Plans are on the drawing board to build a food court, restaurant and café, but Faoro says the selection of the food provider won't be announced until the contract is finalized.

Faoro notes that many people are working hard to ensure not only the center's success, they're also getting ready in the hope that the center will provide a boost to their own businesses.

"The city, college, businesses and community organizations continue to do much to prepare for the center's opening," Faoro says. "There has also been some wonderful signage added to the downtown areas, which will help visitors find various locations around the community."

The center is also projected to bring tourism-related jobs to Berea - as many as 150, according to one study. That will begin with workers who will staff the center, including administrative staff, sales staff, custodial workers and other employees. "We will be hiring several staff this fall, and many more this spring," Faoro says. "People are getting interested as they see construction progress."

Those interested in applying for work at the Artisan Center can write to:

Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
P.O. Box 280
Berea, KY 40403