Dana Spicer:
Charming Neighbor & Talented Businesswoman

Dana Spicer to the Rescue
In the midst of all the moves that Rossi Studios has undergone over the past couple of years, we have had incredible opportunities to meet some phenomenal people. As was stated in last month's newsletter, we were sure that Comstock, Ferre & Co. in Wethersfield, CT would be an incredible new home for Rossi Studios. However, the upcoming change of ownership and renovation delayed our plans. Still, as always, we found that an unexpected roadblock was met with an outpouring of opportunity as well. Good neighbor, Dana Spicer, has come to the rescue and offered Karen a new Wethersfield home in her two shops, "Heart of the Country" and "Mainly Tea."

Heart of the Country
Old Wethersfield is known for its abundance of darling shops, many of which line Main Street and add to its old-town charm. "Heart of the Country" has been part of this scene since 1992. Since that time, Dana's shop has developed a strong following, mostly among women in the 30 to 60-age range. They also have a captive audience of parents of Irish step-dancing students from the Griffith School of Dance that meets in the Legion Hall at the end of Main Street, generating lots of interest in all things Celtic. "Heart of the Country" is known for its Vera Bradley line as well as its attention to customer service. They have worked hard to develop product lines that complement the work of the local artists who sell their work through the store and to be something different than what you find at the mall. "Heart of the Country" is open M-Th 11-5, Fri 11-6 and Sat 10-5.

Mainly Tea
In 2001 Dana also became co-partner of "Mainly Tea", a shop that has become known as a place where you can enjoy a fine meal, linger with friends, or just relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the day. The staff of "Mainly Tea" works to educate their customers about the benefits of tea. They carry an extensive line of fine teas and
accessories as well. "Mainly Tea" is open for dining Thursday-Sat from 11:45 with a final reservation at 3pm, the gift shop and take-away service is open Tuesday-Sat from11-4. Reservations are suggested.

More About Dana
Dana's involvement in the community extends beyond the walls of "Heart of the Country" and "Mainly Tea." She has several charities that are close to her heart including Team Towanda and Habitat for Humanity. Her partner at "Heart of the Country" was diagnosed with breast cancer the month after they took over the business, so she has always supported Team Towanda and their efforts to provide women in the Greater Hartford area with resources for early detection of breast cancer. In addition, she supports The Keane Foundation, which was established in memory of Richard Keane, a Wethersfield resident killed on 9/11.

Looking Toward the Future
As Karen and Dana have been putting their heads together, they are thinking toward the future. Old Wethersfield's annual "Scarecrows Along Main Street" may be the first event where they will be able to collaborate. Other brainstorms have included tag sales and wine tastings.