'I'm Hoping to Be the Next Generation'

Dan Ferrara said he loves supporting local artists. Now, he can make that a part of his day job as the new owner of the Northville Gallery. 

"I'm hoping to be the next generation," he said about joining the ranks of Northville's great business owners.

Ferrara and his wife, Juliette, both 30, bought the gallery, 123 East Main Street, in September. Ferrara, who grew up in Northville, said they plan to maintain and bolster its positive reputation in the community. 

"The idea of the gallery has always been great artwork at a price that makes it accessible to everyone," he said. 

>>See what the Northville Gallery has to offer in the video above.

Ferrara said they brought in almost 80 new pieces in the last two months. The store sells hand-painted artwork and photography by local artists like John Baker and Northville's Corey Zwegers. The Northville Gallery also sells frames, which can be customized for each piece. 

"It's rare we have someone come in here that doesn't find something," he said.

Many homes in Northville have large family rooms with expansive wall space. The Northville Gallery is the only place in the city that sells wall art to fit those rooms, Ferrara said. 

Ferrara invests time in his businesses and Northville

In addition to being a business owner in the city, Ferrara also serves on the Northville Central Business Association and organized events in the city like the food truck rally this summer.

"If you're going to have your business here, you should participate in the city," he said. 

Buying the business was a big move for him and his wife who have a 16-month-old boy and a new baby on the way. Ferrara moved his consulting firm Rutiger Consulting, a Northville business, into the Northville Gallery because it's important for him to be in the store, he said.

Northville residents will still see familiar faces in the store. Prudy Vannier, who owned the business with Jim Vannier before they decided to retire, will continue teaching classes with Kate Vannier. Their employee Kara Mandeville, who Ferrara said keeps the place going, will also stay on.

Customers can visit the Northville Gallery seven days a week, and the store is expanding its hours for the holidays. Find out more.