It’s not a museum, but Chinese expatriates and fans of Asian art are drifting into the new Dragonfire Imports shop at Redmond Town Center — and admiring what they’re seeing.
Rick Wenzel, who co-owns the store with his wife Pat and another couple, Bill and Lynne Sleeper, explained that the new retail space is an offshoot of their 3,000-square-foot warehouse operation on Willows Road in Redmond. That area isn’t great for foot traffic and the space at the Town Center isn’t large enough to showcase all the Chinese furniture and art they have to offer.
But the Town Center location is easy-to-find. And by rotating pieces of furniture and decorative items, Wenzel and his partners can pique the interest of many collectors or browsers.
They’ll also reach a wide audience at the 2009 Bellevue Home Show, which runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 23-25 at the Meydenbauer Center, Northeast 6th Street and 112th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue. Tickets for the show are $8 for adults; $5 for juniors (ages 13-18) or seniors (age 60 plus); or free for kids 12 and under. A limited number of free guest passes are available at Aqua Quip stores while supplies last.
Wenzel was working as an airline pilot instructor in Southern China when he started dabbling in the local art. The Sleepers are both commercial airline pilots with an interest in Asian art, as well.
“I hired a manager in China who was quite an inspiration because she has an interest in decorating, has good language and negotiating skills,” Wenzel explained.
His Redmond store manager Yajun Shen formerly worked as a newspaper reporter in Beijing and is highly educated about Chinese culture and folklore. She can tell you stories about nearly any item at Dragonfire Imports, said Wenzel.
The store features both authentic antiques from China and pieces that are made to look old.
“When you buy old things, ‘Are they real or fake old things?,'” Wenzel commented. “We make an assumption they’re not real but sometimes they are. Even minor kings buried treasures and artifacts. A lot of it comes out because their government doesn’t have an excavation policy. People dig them up and sell them.”
Wenzel does the buying and Shen researches each piece and writes something about its background or meaning. She can translate from Chinese and relate the information to traditions passed down through her own family in China.
“Most people who come in have specific collections such as teapots or Buddhas or pillow boxes,” Shen explained.
Pillow boxes almost look like little treasure chests but people in ancient China actually used them as pillows, storing valuables or weapons inside, while they slumbered.
Bronze horses are also popular at Dragonfire Imports, along with pieces displaying the good luck symbols of the dragon and phoenix. Shen said these symbolize a king and queen and it’s believed that if the king and queen are living in harmony, all men and women within their kingdom will be happy.
Dragonfire Imports is located on the lower level near the Center Street Plaza at Redmond Town Center; call (425) 869-6100 or visit www.dragonfireimports.com for information.
2009 BELLEVUE HOME SHOW
•When: Jan. 23-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
•Where: Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue
•What: Now in its 27th year, the show features more than 200 exhibitors specializing in remodeling, interior desgin, landscaping and new construction.
•Admission: $8 for adults; $5 for juniors (ages 13-18) or seniors (age 60 and up); or free for children 12 and under. A limited number of free guest passes are available at Aqua Quip stores while supplies last.
•Participating Redmond businesses: Dragonfire Imports, Briarwood Furniture, Comcast, Hanson Chiropractic, Landscape Design & Construction, Larry Haight’s Residential Roofing, Luxury Bath, Marymoor Construction, Sublime Landscapes and Valley Furniture.
•Notable: A fine art show, “Start with Art,” will be presented by Gallery by the Bay on the second floor mezzanine of the Meydenbauer Center. Gallery owner Gayle Picken will feature Northwest artists and their paintings, prints, glass, ceramic and metal sculpture. Free seminars such as “Designing on a Dime,” “Solar Savings” and “Art for a New Look,” will provides ideas to ease the budget pinch. Also represented at the Bellevue Home Show will be the National Council of Jewish Women’s furniture bank for survivors of domestic violence, which operates from a confidential location in Redmond and makes a difference in the lives of women and children who are rebuilding their lives.
•Quotable: “Because of the economy this year, we’re looking for ways to help people spruce up their home,” said Cohn. “For people on a fixed income (and others), things are different now. We want to help their environment and brighten their attitude inexpensively and we’re really pushing green services and products, not just as a buzzword.” — public relations representative Rosanne Cohn.
•Web site: www.bellevuehomeshow.com.
— Mary Stevens Decker, Redmond Reporter
