By Krystle J Bailey
The Paint Place is now open on Ventnor Avenue in Margate. Owned and operated by Marci Freede, The Paint Place is an opportunity for painters of all ages and experience levels to come together in an open and welcoming atmosphere to create art.
Marci, who grew up spending her summers in Margate with her family, opened the first Paint Place in Manhattan in 2014. Nine years later, after a great deal of success, the business is expanding. Alongside her two daughters, Hannah and Alexa, Marci opened the doors to The Paint Place NJ on Memorial Day Weekend.
At The Paint Places, guests are invited to take crafting and painting classes, host private parties, or make an appointment to freestyle paint. The corner location offers a light-hearted atmosphere filled with creative energy and inspiring ideas.
Each evening, adult artists are invited to join one of two daily classes. There are four daily blocks of time where artists of all ages can schedule a time to paint. Marci and her team are looking forward to several upcoming specialty events, including “Paint Your Pet,” “90s Trivia,” “Teen Night,” “Wood Signs,” and an outdoor sunset painting event on the bay.
“This space revealed itself last year,” shared Freede. “Someone told me about upcoming construction and encouraged me to open a second location to offer more activities in this evolving town, and we just love everything about Margate.”
Freede, an Art History major and mom of two, finds inspiration in her two daughters, who she has shared her business endeavors with every step of the way. Once the owner of a little girls’ spa, Sweet & Sassy, Freede has always kept her daughters closely involved in the family business.
“She worked hard, and her hard work is paying off,” expressed Hannah, who attended Laguradia Highschool for Fine Art.
“We are very proud of her; she’s done a great job,” echoed Hanna’s twin, Alexa.
The twins will be at The Paint Place all summer assisting the full staff of art teachers, who will be offering a full calendar of painting opportunities by mid-June. Currently, The Paint Place is open on select nights and weekends, which can be found on their website.
“The world is a crazy place right now,” explained Marci Freede. “We want people to come in here and smile. We want them to leave saying, ‘That was really fun.’”
For more information and class times, visit ThePaintPlaceNJ.com.
