 Want to find a set of copper measuring cups for $2, an upright piano for $20 or a mahogany Victorian sofa for $55? As long as you like things small, you'll love The Miniature Scene, the self-proclaimed "mini place to be." The new store, located at 2470 S. Winchester Blvd., Suite B, is located across the street from the Campbell Plaza Shopping Center.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, The Miniature Scene specializes in miniature furniture and accessories for dollhouses.
While the store's grand opening was held July 12 (complete with door prizes), owner Kim Walter has other big plans for miniatures fans at her 1,000-square-foot store and workshop.
"We have sessions coming up where you learn to make the miniatures yourself. For example, we have a fun one creating a miniature raincoat from a rubber glove. As the holidays come around, we plan to offer a class in carving mini pumpkins out of fimo clay, and another in creating miniature decorated Christmas trees," Walter says. "When people ask what miniatures are, I explain that minis are any items produced in a particular scale."
Whether it's wallpaper, doors, furniture or accessories—anything you can imagine in real life, people make in miniature.
Walter previously worked in high tech as a human resources specialist for the DSL high-speed access division of DirectTV Broadband in Cupertino. Once rumors of a shutdown began circulating, Walter began considering other career options.
"This has been a big hobby of mine for a long time. I knew the closest miniatures-only shop was in San Carlos and thought it could be a great market for this area," Walter says. "It's a very fulfilling and addictive hobby. I myself have two houses, as well as five-room boxes where you view the scene through a picture frame. A friend of mine describes minis as 3-D paintings, because while people tend to think of them as something for little girl dollhouses, they really are adult collectibles."
Besides the bricks-and-mortar store, Walter sells both mass-produced and artisan miniature items online through her website at www.miniaturescene.com. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 408.370.6824.
Congratulations to Andrew and Gina Schlocker, owners of Urban Ice Cream at 247 E. Campbell Ave. The popular spot celebrated its first anniversary here on July 3. Smart shoppers (see, you should spend more time downtown) were treated to $1 single scoops of premium ice cream as a "thank you" from the Schlockers for a successful year.
And there must be something fortuitous about that date because the two local Wienerschnitzel franchises, at 1940 S. Bascom Ave. and 1330 Camden Ave., acknowledged the chain's 36th anniversary with free chili dogs from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 3. (Everyone had better start marking that date on the calendar for next year.)
In a similar spirit, the new Blendz, 267-B E. Campbell Ave., shared their first smoothies, salads and sandwiches with customers when it opened its doors on July 8. As promised by owners Matt and Denise Phipps, all visitors that day were treated to free 10 oz. treats of their most popular smoothies for the grand opening. If you missed it, all is not lost. You can still sample their smoothies at a 50-cent discount through the end of July with coupons Blendz has distributed around downtown—just visit your local merchants to find them.
Kudos to local Pilates instructor Shari Nachshen, who ordered real food there (not just the freebie), then spread the word and shared the coupons with her classes at the Campbell Community Center. She did it just to "let people know about some of the great local businesses here in Campbell." The rest of us should follow her example. So to everyone who enjoyed the free and discounted treats, be sure to tell others about the graciousness of those merchants and the quality of their products, and then bring a friend back to share the good stuff.
If all of those treats left you feeling larger than you'd like, try visiting the new Curves franchise, 797 W. Hamilton Ave. Owned by Harmony Sorrentino, the 1,950-square-foot fitness center had its grand opening on Saturday, July 21.
Sorrentino first encountered Curves when a center moved into the same San Jose shopping center as the salon she worked at, Hair 2000.
"I saw all of these women going in there all the time, and soon even I could tell they were getting real results," she says. "At the same time, I was experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis and knew it was only a matter of time before I'd need to change careers. The Curves concept really intrigued me, and although it's very different from operating a salon, the constant is I'm still in a women-centered service business. I've always worked at encouraging women in my 15 years as a manicurist, and now with Curves, I can do even more."
There's another incentive to be first in line to call or visit Curves: The first 100 people to sign up for membership will receive a 66 percent discount off their membership fee. Initial hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 408.871.7091 to set up an appointment or reserve a membership.
Got a cool new Campbell business, a hot news tip or a business anniversary or special event to announce? We'd love to hear about it. Contact Michelle Crowe at 408.378.9056 or a1writers@hotmail.com.
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