February 6, 2007

The Stone Griffin closes after 12 years in downtown Campbell

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

The Stone Griffin, home of various stone and pewter statues, candleholders and fountains closed its downtown Campbell storefront in January after 12 years in business, although many of its products are still available on the Internet.

Owner Dana Smith said there were not enough shoppers to keep the home and garden store open. “Sales were down. In 2006, we sold only about one-third of what we sold three years ago,” Smith said. He attributed the slower sales to less foot traffic and more shoppers going to Santana Row.

The Stone Griffin had been open for 12 years on E. Campbell Avenue. Smith says the store was one of downtown Campbell’s longest running stores until it closed last month. “It lasted longer than most,” he said.

However, the fountains, pedestals and ornaments for home and garden that were formerly displayed in the store can still be found on the Internet at www.stonegriffin.com. That Web site features a variety of gifts including statues of happy and stern gargoyles, griffins, dragons, wolves, bats, cats, owls, hippogriffs, frogs, eggs with eyes and devil ducks at “reasonable prices.” Also included are gifts items such as candleholders, sconces, glassware, bookends, fountains, fancy incense burners and outdoor thermometers. While most items are made of various types of stone, some are made out of pewter.

Meanwhile, Smith is spending his days working at The Gallery, which he also owns and is located at 416 East Campbell Ave. That store features fine art including paintings and framed wall art as well as “appropriate selected treasures” from Stone Griffin.

Smith spent three years as president of the Downtown Campbell Business Association, stepping down last October. As president he scheduled meetings, started and planned events, planned advertising with fellow downtown merchants and helped advertise events such as Bunnies and Bonnets, First Fridays, Follow Your Heart and No Tax Day.

“My job was to improve the business and social climate in downtown Campbell, and I did that,” he said.

While he remains on the DCBA’s board of directors, Neil Collins, who owns Trailsloggers, is the new president. Laura Jaeger, who owns Toast Shop is the new vice president.

The Art Gallery at 416 E. Campbell Ave., is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Summer hours will be extended, For more information, call The Art Gallery at (408) 374-5210.