NORWICH - Local entrepreneur and artist, Jill Kraft, is nearing the final stages of moving her business into the former Salvation Army location at 17-19 South Broad St. Extensive renovations, which included an asbestos abatement are nearly completed, and soon the finishing touches will be applied like the last strokes of oil and acrylic to canvas.

“We are very excited about having the new location completely finished and open to the public, the process took much longer than we had anticipated – but the wait is definitely worth it,” said Kraft.

Kraft, a Norwich native, has been planning for years what will be the largest fine arts showcase in the county, carefully overseeing her realized dream come to life.

That realization comes to life this Friday at a “open for business” reception featuring live entertainment by area musicians, an offering of unique cuisine and a gallery opening for Johanna Lerwick (an wildlife and nature artist working in oil born and raised locally in upstate New York) and Woodworker Joe Keto, a native of Oneonta, who will display his carvings inspired by nature and wildlife.

Entertainment will be provided by the likes of local singer/songwriter and guitar master Mike Davis from 6-8 p.m. followed by Norwich-based reggae machine Seek the Lion starting at 8 p.m.