An Osage-owned dance clothing and gift shop is moving back to its old location in Pawhuska after a roof repair accident occurred at the now-former store, prompting a closure for environmental concerns.
The Cedar Chest Shop is moving to 134 E. 6th St. with a scheduled March 7 opening event from noon to 6 p.m. The shop is known for selling custom-made Osage dance clothing, jewelry and gift shop items. As part of the move, the shop’s co-owners are also using the space to open The Water Bird Gallery where it will also sell art pieces including paintings.
Despite the unexpected relocation, co-owners Julie O’Keefe and Danette Daniels expressed their gratitude for the well wishes they received following the shop closure. “From disasters great things can happen! We have had tremendous love and support from friends and family,” Daniels said in a February Facebook posting announcing The Cedar Chest relocation to its old store spot across the street from the Pawhuska Post Office.
The move comes after the former store location at 521 Kihekah Ave. closed Feb. 3 when a roof repair job conducted by the building landlord took a turn for the worst, according to O’Keefe. That day, workers were pulling the old roof off the two-story building when a 24-foot drainage pipe came loose and ended up falling through the ceiling panel into the store, resulting in dust and debris to fall through.
At the time of the incident, shop worker John Parker was inside and the falling pipe missed him by two feet, O’Keefe said recalling Parker’s phone call to her while she was in Ponca City at the time. The shop was closed after it was discovered the falling debris included asbestos. Now O’Keefe is in talks with the building owners and her insurance company to handle the mess, which will require professional abatement cleanup.
“We’re thankful it did not injure anyone, now I’m educating myself on abatement,” O’Keefe said. All Cedar Chest merchandise on display at the former store remained in its location, as it was the day of the incident.
Many store items displayed in the open were exposed to the dust and asbestos elements and cannot be cleaned, O’Keefe said, adding she is hoping to recover items that can be cleaned or were encased in glass displays. With the store closure, O’Keefe and Daniels brainstormed their next steps, which included the idea to open an art gallery after visiting with other business contacts.
Despite no store for a month, O’Keefe and Daniels have continued to collect and make merchandise and clothing items, which they’ve sold in temporary store stands as well as online thanks to social media.
The Cedar Chest Shop and The Water Bird Gallery each have their own Facebook pages featuring photos of merchandise and artworks available for sale. Items for sale include embroidered shawls, beaded leather bags, Pendleton blankets, broadcloth skirts, and framed artwork by Loren and Paul Pahsetopah. For more information and to inquire about merchandise, The Cedar Chest and The Water Bird Gallery can be reached at (918) 287-9129.
By
Benny Polacca
Original Publish Date: 2015-03-05 00:00:00