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After years of talking about it, the husband-and-wife team of Tim and Ellie Harman opened the doors in January to their mutual labor of love: the combination art gallery, retail shop and café High on Art and Coffee, at 523 E. High St.
Located in the Woodland Triangle shopping area at the former site of Lucia’s Imports, the brick building’s retail side is already well-stocked with works of art from more than 80 Kentucky and out-of-state artists, featuring paintings, jewelry, woodwork, sculptures, clothing, soaps and photographs, among other items. Ellie Harman hopes eventually to raise the number of artistic contributors to more than 100.
In the next room, the cafe’s menu board is crammed full of food and drink selections, including coffee, ice cream, sandwiches, fruit smoothies, doughnuts and a variety of other culinary offerings.
And it feels like the Harmans are just getting warmed up.
Both owners left behind alternate careers to pursue their individual passions as a shop-owning team. Tim, who has business experience as the owner of Domino’s Pizza, Subway and Jimmy John’s franchise stores, was ready for a change from his most recent job of selling restaurant equipment. Ellie had spent 16 years in the finance industry before the economic downturn forced her to switch gears and pursue her passion for jewelry making. Together, the two have found an outlet for their individual interests and their natural penchant for hospitality in their new shop.
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“The community’s been great,” said Ellie. “I love the diversity of it all ... We have everything from very young kids that hang out at the skate park coming in for ice cream and coffees or sandwiches, to older crowds who like to come in and sit and have a cup of tea in the garden.”
Building a welcoming and friendly environment has been a key part of the Harmans’ new enterprise. Food and drinks can be enjoyed in the café itself, on the porch, or in the garden area, a former mudpit behind the building that the Harmans have transformed into their own “hidden oasis,” Tim said. With a combination of salvaged painted fencing, stone pavers and furniture contributed by friends, the couple has created a patchwork patio respite, featuring potted herbs and vegetables that Tim also uses in the cafe’s kitchen.
“It’s a very cheerful kind of place, and they are so friendly, it’s unbelievable,” said Allie Hendricks, one of the cafe’s repeat clientele.
And the hospitality at High on Art and Coffee doesn’t just extend to its customers. In her own experiences as an artist, Ellie Harman came across many retailers who would reject unfamiliar artists without even looking at their work. She doesn’t want to operate that way, she said.
“I don’t want to turn anyone away,” she said. The art and retail items at High on Art and Coffee are selected to suit a wide range of eclectic styles and tastes, she added.
The Harmans’ hard work has captured attention outside of the Woodland Triangle neighborhood as well. After only six months in business, the store has already been featured in an episode of “The Local Traveler,” a locally focused weekly television series that has been featured on WKYT.
“It’s the personable service that I think makes all the difference,” Tim said. “We know a lot of people when they walk in; we know what they get, what they like, what they don’t like.”
And canine companions find a warm welcome at the shop as well. Ellie and Tim pride themselves on being pet-friendly, and they also donate all of their tips to 4 Paws for Ability, an organization that provides service dogs to those in need.
“When it comes to kids and animals, I have a big soft spot,” Ellie said. “We think giving back to the community is a great way to let people know who we are as people.” cc