EXPANSION PLANS - NEW STUDIO/RETAIL/VENUE May 16 2013

The Firecracker Press Announces Expansion Plans - New Studio!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Firecracker Press is Opening a Second Location in Crown Square, St. Louis.

St. Louis, MO - The Firecracker Press is excited to announce, in addition to its location at 2838 Cherokee Street, the expansion of a second location at 2612 North 14th Street, in Crown Square. The expansion will take place over the Summer of 2013 with a Grand Opening to be announced later this year.

Founded in St. Louis in 2002, The Firecracker Press has become a cultural institution for printmaking. With a gang of antique printing presses (some dating back to the 1800s), a rich collection of St. Louis printing history, and a talented group of designers and printers, The Firecracker Press has made its mark regionally and nationally. Handmade, letterpress posters for music and art shows, custom business cards, stationery, wedding invitations, and books are just a few of the things that The Firecracker Press crafts. Using printing presses that are found and restored, The Firecracker Press prints from hand-set wood/lead type and uses hand-carved woodblocks to create imagery that's rooted in history yet freshly modern. Its Southside, Cherokee Street location will remain while The Firecracker Press plans to expand a rotating list of events, classes and demonstrations at the new Crown Square location.

THE FUTURE: The new space, nearly 8000 sq. ft., will host a large collection of printing presses and tools, a retail storefront with a variety of posters and design-related home-goods, and a 100 person capacity venue for music, readings, and events. The Firecracker Press will continue to offer the same high quality, unique, independently minded services that have made them well-known. The expansion will also bring the opportunity to collaborate with other organizations including Old North Restoration Group and its affiliates, and with Studio StL, which will be sharing a portion of the space for its non-profit, children's writing programs. The publishing arm of The Firecracker Press dovetails in exciting ways with the mission of Studio StL. An arts center for writers, thinkers, and makers will grow where The Firecracker Press and Studio StL overlap, with more to come.

Stay tuned for updates and information about the build-out of the new space, the date for the Grand Opening and other kick-off events at...
WEB - www.FirecrackerPress.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/firecrackerpress
INSTAGRAM - @firecrackerpress

HISTORY:
2002 - The Firecracker Press was founded in a small, 500 sq. ft. studio on Washington Avenue. The operation began with one press, some type, and a few woodcut tools.
2003 - The studio moved to the Southside and into a space above the Chippewa Viaduct. Over the years The Firecracker Press grew into the space and eventually inhabited half the building. Employees were hired, working with part-time artists became crucial to meet expansion needs, and an internship program was established to help train young printmakers.
2007 - In order to meet the growing demand for its posters, cards, and retail products, The Firecracker Press purchased and rehabbed its current location on Cherokee Street. The studio/retail store quickly became a staple in this budding shopping district.
2013 - The Firecracker Press announces expansion plans in Crown Square while maintaining its retail location on Cherokee Street.

For more information about expansion plans for The Firecracker Press, details about the collaboration between The Firecracker Press and Studio StL, the venue, printing history, and/or how The Firecracker Press makes posters, cards, stationery and more, contact Eric Woods (eric@firecrackerpress.com - 314-776-7271) or visit www.FirecrackerPress.com