She returned to her hometown to help you make ‘your perfect home decor’ in Loves Park
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK— Diann Panozzo was in Frisco, Texas, when she stepped foot inside an AR Workshop for the first time for a crafting event.
She said she immediately fell in love with the concept, and soon took a part-time job at the do-it-yourself home decor business “so I could spend more time in my happy place.”
Now Panozzo, a 1996 graduate of Boylan High School, has returned to her hometown to open the first AR Workshop in the state of Illinois.
“I love this place so much and I wanted to bring it back to my hometown,” Panozzo said Thursday before a ribbon-cutting for the new business.
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AR Workshop has more than 150 locations across the country, according to its website. AR Workshop Rockford, located at 6738 Broadcast Parkway in Loves Park, guides you through a variety of home decor projects from woodworking to swap art, lazy Susans, signs, planter boxes, address boxes, knits, canvas wall hangs, pillows and youth projects.
“It’s a whole bunch of different projects that you can choose from for your perfect home decor,” Panozzo said. “It’s a relaxing atmosphere, and they’re going to leave with something they’re proud of because we’re here to help them along with their project.”
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You can register for group or individual classes, hold an event or party at the shop or stop in the retail store to get materials for a do-it-yourself project.
“There’s a whole bunch of youth projects for birthday parties or kids camps,” Panozzo said. “We also have DIY to take home if you don’t have time to stop in or you want to do it late at night or early in the morning, take it home and craft at home.”
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The Parks Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries from Loves Park and Machesney Park met at the store Thursday morning to celebrate its opening. The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday evening.
“This is a fantastic concept. Something brand new, the first of its kind in Illinois, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Bob Burden, Loves Park City Clerk. “We’re always delighted when new and innovative businesses can come to Loves Park.”
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Know before you go | AR Workshop Rockford
Location: 6738 Broadcast Parkway, Loves Park
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. (There are additional hours during workshops and special events)
Grand opening: The grand opening celebration takes place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and includes make-and-take projects, snacks and drawings for prizes.
Open crafting session: An open crafting session for anyone who wants to try out the store will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
On the web: arworkshop.com/rockford
Phone: 815-977-9233
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.
