Business name: Charmios

Address: 32 Church Hill Road, Newtown

Owners: Yvonne and Matt Schapiro

Business background: With the Schapiro Family's recent move to Sandy Hook just nine months ago, they brought their paint studio and boutique party store, Charmios, cross-country from the West Coast to the East Coast.

Charmios all started when Yvonne Schapiro, a stay-at-home mom at the time, was making a craft project with her oldest daughter, Natalie.

"We made these charms with a clay backing," Ms Schapiro said. Those charms became the inspiration for her daughter to create the name Charmios, which later became the business' name.

While living in Pacific Grove, California, the first incarnation of Charmios opened in 2012 and focused solely on craft party supplies. After operating for just under a year, the family made the move to New Jersey and continued to sell their inventory under the Charmios name, but through online outlets like Etsy.

When the family moved to Sandy Hook last year, they found it was very similar to Pacific Grove with lots of families, but it was in need of a creative outlet that all ages could go to and enjoy. So last month, Charmios officially opened its new studio in The Village at Lexington Gardens.

Business focus: Charmios has a full-service paint bar for pottery and canvas painting that can be utilized by drop-ins, classes, and private parties.

There is a wide selection of premade pottery that is suitable for all ages. Once each pottery piece is completed, it gets clear glazed and fired in the on-site kiln and takes five to seven days before it can be shipped or picked-up.

Charmios offers canvas painting classes, including adult BYOB Paint and Sip classes, a "No Adults Allowed Paint Night" for ages 13 to 17, and a "Junior Social Artworking" class for ages 7 to 12.

Each class will have a local instructor that will help guide students through a step-by-step process on how to create the night's design. For a complete list of classes, monthly schedules are posted in the studio window, at the front desk, and on the Charmios' website.

Since drop-ins are also welcome for canvas painting outside of designated class times, a studio artist is always on hand to help guests select a traceable pattern that comes with painting instructions.

Charmios also specializes in party supplies and has a wall of floor to ceiling shelves filled with boutique paper goods and even some adult drinking games. There is also an extensive "balloon bar" on-site, where people can come in person, call, or order balloons online.

"It's a little bit of everything," Ms Schapiro said.

For private parties of eight to 16 people, a section of the store can be reserved to still allow drop-ins on the other side.

"If it is over 16," Ms Schapiro explained, "you can rent out the entire studio for the two hours, and we will give you a discounted group rate."

Important to know: "When Matt and I decided to open the store, it was really important to us that it was focused on the community," Ms Schapiro said. "Art is therapy, and it brings people together."

The studio offers a family-friendly environment with communal seating, so guests can socialize and get to know their neighbor while creating their art pieces.

Specials: "We have an ongoing discount as our way of giving back to the community and supporting families in general," Ms Schapiro said. "We offer 15 percent off the studio fee to students and seniors."

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm, with extended hours for special events; closed on Monday.

Website: charmios.com

Social Media: facebook.com/charmios and instagram.com/charmios.newtown.ct

Phone: 203-491-2822

E-mail: hello@charmios.com

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