Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – “There’s nothing to do.” Bon Flores remembers hearing that growing up in Bedford and while he sometimes agreed with the observation, he didn’t see it as inevitable or unchangeable.
The entrepreneur and his wife are working to change that through their new business that is bringing art to the downtown. Bon and Sarah Flores opened Glassy Studios in May of 2024 at 1009 16th St.
Sarah, who first learned stained glass in high school and studied art at Hanover College, teaches the stained glass classes designed for beginners. In just a few hours, participants can complete a small stained glass piece. Class options have included ghosts and pumpkins in the fall and recently snowflakes, candy canes and Christmas trees.
Since its opening in May, Sarah has taught 27 stained glass classes and two paint and sips. Glassy Studios also has other teachers who have collectively taught seven additional stained glass classes, one crochet class, and one ceramic class. There are seven stained glass classes on the schedule between now and Christmas and one paint and sip.
Glassy Studios offers private parties and walk-in activities. The walk-in activities can be done at non-class times during their operational hours which are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The walk-in activities include resin jewelry and keychains, painting on blank or pre-drawn canvas, and more to come.
The studio’s Sip and Paint classes are taught next door at the Rusty Gator every third Thursday of the month. The studio will soon launch kids crafts every first Thursday of the month.
The front of the store has a gallery section where customers can shop stained glass items, jewelry, and other handmade items made in house.
Classes range from a couple of hours to five hours, depending on the steps involved for the glass project.
“I always wanted a space to offer classes and this is where I feel my career has led me to,” Sarah said.
For several years, Sarah has done custom stained glass work and restorations. Sarah’s most recent custom order was done for The Bedford Public Library (soon to be installed). Sarah also completed a restoration of two matching 100-year-old windows removed from Bedford Furniture Galleries for relatives of the store’s longtime owner after the furniture store closed.
The studio is a chance to bring more people to the art form she loves.
“People leave with something they can be proud of,” she said. “Art is a way for people to connect with their community and it’s good for their confidence.”
In the future, Sarah would like to offer semester-long stained glass classes along with introducing a multitude of other artforms into the classroom.
“We’re bringing art to Bedford to bring people downtown,” Bon said. “Art creates community and can improve mental health.”
The couple is also working on a second art studio, Glazey Studios. The pottery studio will be located in the space west of Glassy Studios on 16th Street. Bon and Sarah said Glazey is about three to six months from opening. The only thing that’s holding them up from opening sooner is funding.
Kings Coffees coming to Bubba’s Pizzas
Within the next few weeks, Bon Flores will open his newest venture with Peyton Sweet, and the Kings Family – Kings Coffees inside Bubba’s Pizzas on John Williams Boulevard.
Bon said he’s been looking for opportunities to bring a new coffee and breakfast option to Bedford for a couple of years.
Through his consulting with Bubba’s Pizzas, he saw an opportunity to take advantage of their facility and serve Bedford’s needs.
Bubba’s, which earlier this year moved into its new location, has a drive-thru and is located on a busy thoroughfare. Focusing on the morning rush, Kings Coffees will operate drive-thru mainly during the initial start-up. The menu will include brewed coffee, lattes, espresso, and teas along with bagels, breakfast sandwiches and muffins.
“Kings Coffees will offer great quality and I believe there’s room in Bedford for another coffee shop,” Bon said.
Bon plans to take his profits from this business and help build Bedford’s art scene. Something he and his wife have been working on for over a year now.