Where we began
In 1992, Imagine was opened in the village of Skaneateles by Joe Panzarella. Joe, an accomplished craftsperson, skilled in the art of making early American brooms, had recently decided that traveling to do craft shows while his children were growing up was not where he wanted to devote his time. He took over a space in town, next to the old bank building on Genesee Street, and opened Imagine. By tapping into his network of craftspeople, Imagine formed its mission of showcasing the highest quality American Handcraft for personal adornment. This mission carried on for the next thirty years, with the last 12 getting a revamp 2010 when the second store, Imagine that, was opened by Joe’s daughter Sarah. Imagine That opened at 38 E. Genesee st and continued the idea of art as adornment. The new shop was much bigger; Sarah and her husband Jeremy were both potters, so brought in housewares, decorative and functional ceramics, glass, wood furniture, and two dimensional paintings and photographs to expand Imagine’s offerings. The two Imagine stores combined again in 2011 at the current location at 38 East Genesee Street, and have strived to bring Skaneateles a full assortment of handcraft objects to beautify and richen the lives of shoppers from all over the region.
The Next Chapter
Papavero is still devoted to continuing the legacy of Imagine, bringing handcraft to the people of the Fingerlakes and surrounding area. We will continue to have a retail gallery space with objects made locally, regionally, and nationally with the addition of an active maker studio. People will have the opportunity to use their own hands to make things that will live in their lives, and will learn how rewarding it is to be able to see an object go from raw clay to finished object. We are excited to see where this new direction takes us, and are so excited to take you all with us. Thanks for being a part of Imagine, and thanks for your interest in Papavero Studio!
