Heather McGartland launched her eclectic boutique of repurposed goods and its in-store hair salon five years ago when the creative shop owner moved into one of
Dwelling Place's live/work studios at 120 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids.
Now Imagination Creations has outgrown its four walls and is moving to 337 Diamond Ave., the former Darcy's Hair Studio.
McGartland, a licensed hair stylist who specializes in helping people who have had hair loss from chemo or alopecia, will use two of the building's four styling chairs for her own clients and will rent out the other two – all of which are in a private salon area.
"We'll have a small waiting area within the retail shop," McGartland says. "Customers can shop if they want to while they're waiting for their stylist."
The retail space will feature McGartland's repurposed creations, collectibles and vintage fashions, for instance, a collection of hats from the '30s through the '60s.
"In the new space, I'm able to departmentalize into a shoe shop, a hat shop, a seasonal shop, a jewelry shop," she says. "I sell mostly jewelry, clothing and fashion accessories for head-to-toe day and evening wear."
McGartland, her mom Susan Edwards and two friends handpick the fashions, which they procure from resale shops, garage and estate sales, and Goodwill stores. The items are cleaned, deconstructed and restructured into something brand new, like the hanging plant rooters made out of old light bulbs or the jewelry and sculpture made from melted vinyl records.
"I personally get dressed for under ten bucks by adding frill and crinoline to clothes made from four or five pieces I've torn apart and remade," McGartland says.
She adds, "Imagination Creations is a treasure trove, a visual explosion. We have something for everybody."
The new location opens the first weekend in December. Retail hours are Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 11 to 8. The salon is open for appointments the remainder of the week. For more information, call 616.458.1250.
Source: Heather McGartland, Imagination Creations
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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