October 4, 2007 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
New owner brings new concept to offbeat Jean-Jacques Gallery
One the very first things that impressed the new owner of Jean-Jacques Gallery, New York native Sherman Oberson, about Mt. Airy was the successful integration of its community. Oberson moved here four years ago after September 11, 2001, to be with his partner, Peter Foley, a Philadelphia native. To settle in, the couple bought a house just off Germantown Avenue on a bustling street. “People told us, ‘You’re not going to get to know your neighbors’,” said Oberson of his friends’ concern that his street was too much of a thoroughfare. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We know all of our neighbors. We all have parties and invite everyone on the block.” Oberson, a mixed media artist with a varied background in both marketing and computers, embraced the artistic community in Mt. Airy, befriending both Jay Thompson, owner of the Amoeba Art Shop, and Jean-Jacques Giret and his partner, owners of the namesake gallery. He would eventually help out in the gallery when the owners were away or unavailable. In February, Giret informed him that he was moving to France and the store was up for sale. Before Oberson came to Philadelphia, he was working as a computer consultant in northern New Jersey. With most of his clients in Manhattan and north Jersey, Oberson found it almost impossible to continue after the tragedy. “The economy there imploded. Businesses left the area or went out of business within six months.” When presented with the opportunity to purchase the gallery, Oberson and Foley gave it a lot of thought. “It was always a dream of mine to own a retail store,” said Oberson, whose art ranges from collages to jewelry and clay work. “And more importantly, the thought of the gallery possibly not being here anymore was just too upsetting.” According to Oberson, there were no buyers because, as Giret explained, there was a fear that the impending construction on Germantown Avenue would close off the avenue and throw the neighborhood into a state of flux for more than a year. “The gallery was part of the original revitalization of the avenue,” said Oberson of his feeling that it had to keep going. In May, Oberson and Foley bought the business and began the process of making it their own. Relying on his ties to the artistic community, Oberson made an effort to find local artists to feature in the store. He now carries a line of purses made by a Germantown artist, a line of jewelry made by a center city artist as well as his own collage and jewelry work. He also has a small children’s section, more gifts for men and locally made greeting cards. Later this month, as part of the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, the gallery will host an exhibit from a Norristown-based co-op to which many Mt. Airy and Germantown artists belong. Oberson would also like to bring in environmentally friendly products and has introduced a line of soy candles and organic soaps that he found on the Internet. “I will carry items made overseas but only when I can’t find a local and/or affordable equivalent,” said Oberson, who also plans to add seasonal and religious items ranging from Halloween art to modern-style Judaica and vintage Christmas knick knacks. “I try to pick items that you can’t find in the other shops in Mt. Airy. I want to add, not compete, with other shops in the area.” The Jean-Jacques Gallery is at 7118 Germantown Ave. For more information, call 215-242-5440 or visit www.jean-jacquesgallery.com.
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