Jeff Peer, owner of Village Mercantile, is one of those lucky people who gets to do what he loves for a living. Glass art is Jeff Peer’s passion, and when he found that his house, garage and backyard were overflowing with stained glass, he figured that it was time to get serious. So in October 2005, he left his job of 36 years selling pool products to open a retail art store.

Village Mercantile features the works of 25 unique artists from around the country, as well as an assortment of glass art and gift items. With its focus on art, this isn’t just another Hallmark-style gift store, it’s something unique.

If you share his interest in glass art, or if you have wanted to get started, Peer offers classes and workshops. He teaches classes in stained glass and hosts workshops on fused and mosaic glass. While the workshops can accommodate more students, he keeps his stained glass classes to two students at a time, so that he can give them more personal attention.

His business philosophy is a simple one: to have a friendly store that is welcoming to both beginners and old pros. Peer has come to realize that by doing so his customers will return and recommend him to their friends.

Peer is a member of the GSDBA and an active member of the community. He has supported HIV/AIDS charities and has donated numerous items of glass art to charities.