Selling repurposed furniture and work from local artists, Full Circle opens in Vandergrift

Lisa Bonello Brunermer began channeling her inner artist when she was 11 years old — and hasn’t stopped.

The Leechburg native and artist was given complete creative control by her parents to paint and design her childhood bedroom.

“I got to work,” Brunermer said. “Two walls were blue with clouds, there was a giant rainbow, island sunset and a giant ice cream cone. I was so proud of my room.”

Brunermer, now 55 and living in Allegheny Township, opened Full Circle Furniture & Gifts in Vandergrift in early November. Calling the business opportunity a “lifelong dream,” she said her “goal is to encourage the artists in the area like my parents did for me.”

The store sells custom repurposed, upcycled and refurbished furniture and decor and original artwork from local and regional artisans. Most of the artists are local, mainly from Vandergrift, Apollo and Leechburg.

“The idea here is to take an old piece of furniture and make it into something else. Upcycling is giving new life and a new look to a piece with TLC and paint,” she said.

The consignment store, housed in a restored building, has Brunermer’s creative touch, including an eclectic color-scheme, a refinished silver original tin ceiling and original hardwood floors.

Full Circle’s inventory includes a mix of mostly handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items such as jewelry, homemade candles, seasonal decor, woodworking, wine racks, clothing and more. Prices range from $2 to $2,000.

Brunermer said she’d like to see a potter and soap maker consign at Full Circle.

“The artists mostly find me. They happen in the store, see all the beautiful art and think, hey I can paint, carve or make magic wands — maybe I can sell my stuff,” said Brunermer, who has worked as a preschool teacher and as a merchandising manager at the former Kaufmann’s department store.

Full Circle shares a wall with another new store, East West Boutique.

East West co-owner Jen Zatko Atchison said having Full Circle as a neighbor offers mutual benefits. Though the two businesses under one roof are divided by that wall, there are two separate doorways that they keep open.

“It’s great. We promote each other’s business, and I love telling my customers to go over there and check out all of the beautiful, handmade items,” Atchison said.

Brunermer seconded the benefits of the location and said she’s grateful to be sharing the space with East West.

Full Circle Furniture & Gifts, at 140 Grant Ave., is open 11 to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, with extended holiday hours from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.