Irwin business owner perseveres pandemic shutdowns to add Dog spot to her Cat shop

Chrys Sebula knew exactly how she wanted her new store to look.

She planned to set up her hand-painted glassware and slate pieces around an empty Irwin storefront that would be connected to Curious Cat, her longtime Main Street country market, gift and craft shop. Sebula aimed for an April 15 opening date for Painted Dog Market.

Then everything came crashing down.

“I had everything arranged, what we were going to do … and then boom,” Sebula said.

But her determination and perseverance over the past four months made the difference between giving in and pushing forward. Sebula has operated Curious Cat for 21 years. When she learned this year that the storefront next door was being vacated, she decided to open up a wall and extend her business. She planned to move her painted glassware and slate items into Painted Dog Market and leave wreaths and other gifts on the Curious Cat side.

Sebula finalized the expansion with the property owner. Days later, on her birthday March 16, she and thousands of other businesses across Pennsylvania were ordered to shut down by state and health officials in an effort to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

Next came weeks of remodeling as the expected April opening date came and went. She decided to keep going despite all of the unknowns.

“I believe in small business,” she said. “I believe in mom-and-pop businesses. You need us, you need us little guys in this world.”

Curious Cat reopened with limited hours in mid-May while Sebula continued working on Painted Dog Market next door. Shoppers quickly returned in Irwin to support local businesses, she said.

Painted Dog Market finally had its grand opening Friday. Sebula credited her religious beliefs, clientele and family support with helping her to make it to the finish line.

“I don’t know why He’s telling me to do this, but I have a lot of faith,” she said.

Her friend Tom McConnell, who also serves as wood worker and distribution coordinator, said he is proud of the way Sebula persisted with a dream.

“It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” he said. “It could’ve easily destroyed her because everything just flipped upside down. She never quit.”

Sebula is looking forward to offering a variety of classes at Painted Dog Market in addition to her own works of art there and in Curious Cat.

“I’m very fortunate to say I love what I do,” she said.