The Luminaire & The Alchemist – Framing Store
Life is quite simply better with art…
And that led Erika Bruser to take the leap to run The Luminaire & The Alchemist – a framing store, gallery and cafe in the heart of beautiful downtown Mount Shasta.
The gallery has been at its N. Mt. Shasta Boulevard location since 1996, but Erika and her daughter Andi have been running things for the past 18 months. After teaching for the past seven years, her husband saw the opportunity to own the business.
“I thought, ‘Not possible on a teacher’s salary,’” she says. “Then the universe moved and it all manifested incredibly fast. We are very much a ‘hidden gem’ in Mount Shasta.”
Originally from New Zealand, Erika runs the gallery while daughter Andi Wereta runs the cafe.
“We endeavor to create a sanctuary of beauty in the heart of Mount Shasta for locals and travelers alike,” Erika says.
In addition to full-service framing work, the gallery sells both brilliant photography and original paintings along with gorgeous glass and ceramic works. After all, there is nothing more picturesque than Mt. Shasta and its surrounding environs.
The gallery also frames all the pictures for the Black Bear Diners, which was started in Mount Shasta in the 1990s.
“The Gallery was originally founded by two of the original Black Bear Diner owners Bob and Laurie Manley and we continue a close relationship with the company as they expand their diners across America,” Erika says.
It also features a cafe that simply serves “the best coffee in town – just ask the locals.”
The cafe is a quiet, but inviting space with a warm family atmosphere. They have live music and poetry on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. Additionally, they have classical piano from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and classical guitar from 2 -2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Their Market Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. July 18.
And it’s the locals that make coming to the gallery and cafe enjoyable, Erika says.
“The spiritual strength of Mount Shasta City and its people (are inspiring),” she says.
The Cafe features Sisters Coffee from Oregon and their teas are from Dobra Tea in Ashland, Oregon and are organic and ethically sourced. The vegan organic syrups are from Holy Kakoli Holy Kakow.
The pastries – from vegan, gluten-free cakes and scones – along with chocolates from Chocolate de Nanette in Redding make sitting and passing the time delicious in addition to relaxing.’
The Luminaire Gallery – 201 N. Mount Shasta Blvd., Mount Shasta (530) 926-2334 || find them on Facebook
