Front Room on 7th shop has hard-to-find DIY decor products, antiques and more
Long-time friends Sherri Martin and Dale Braun were both stay-at-home mothers when they got the idea to rent a booth in an antique mall — their first steps into the small business world.”The rest is history,” says Martin. The duo will celebrate six years of their shop, Front Room on 7th, this fall.
“Since we started, our families have added seven grandbabies with two more on the way this summer,” she said. “Family is first, and our customers have become added members,” she said.
Martin and Braun share the responsibilities of owning the business, and both are often found working in the shop as well as at its booth at various local vendor-supported events such as the Hamilton Flea and Operation Pumpkin.
“Our shop brings our own flavor to Hamilton with handmade items, such as repurposed jewelry, made by local artists, and retail lines such as Wise Owl Paint and Iron Orchid Design, which both empower the DIY-er and decorator in everyone,” Martin said. “We also offer classes to teach many different skills to individuals who love creating, and sometimes just need a tribe and new ideas.”
Martin has started entering furniture art competitions — and won a few.
“It’s challenging and fun, and definitely keeps me looking for new ways to use our paints and IOD products,” she said.
Front Room on 7th keeps the supply of its retail products “as close to home as possible,” she said, meaning they sell mostly locally made items. The goal is to help the local economy growing.
Front Room will continue to add to it its class offerings, “training up a tribe of makers who are happiest when creating,” Martin said.
Some of the products sold at the store include Ohio-based Alma Home products, NOW Essential Oils and all-natural “Skin Foodie” skincare products, which are made in Dayton.
“We’ve spent years searching out what we believe are the best lines, and have learned the stories of the owners, who are important people in our journey,” she said. “We are personal friends with the owner and COO of Wise Owl Paints who are a scientist and an artist.”
Front Room on 7th is also an authorized stockist of Iron Orchid Design.
“We carry the entire line of gorgeous furniture transfers, decor molds and decor stamps and love assisting and training interested friends and customers to their best uses,” Martin said.
Both Martin and Braun are from Hamilton, and proud to say so.
“We’ve been through decades of ups and downs here in our hometown. It warms our hearts to see the growth, and we’re so excited to see what all the future holds for our small business with a huge heart,” she said.
HOW TO GO
What: Front Room on 7th
Where: 102 North 7th St., Hamilton
Phone: (513) 383-0041
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/frontroomon7th
Buy online: https://www.frontroomon7th.com/