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2 Bisous Studio brings cultural experience to downtown Struthers
Photo
Meagan Albani, 31, left, poses with her mother, 51-year-old Elizabeth Albani, in their shop, 2 Bisous Studio, in downtown Struthers. The studio, which opened Saturday, off ers upcycled, or repurposed, European vintage pieces as well as language classes.
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
Meagan Albani admitted it’s been kind of hard to describe 2 Bisous Studio to curious onlookers.
Walking into the State Street storefront, it’s evident why.
An old wooden church pew flipped upside down is, like most surfaces, draped with antique lace from Paris flea markets. A French Victorian-era wedding headpiece embellished with wax flowers rests atop fine china. A sign-up sheet pinned to a clipboard near the door invites the signatures of those interested in taking language classes, including conversational French and Spanish.
And it’s all an ever-changing work in progress.
“It’s an immersion of everything that makes up culture: language, people, things,” said the 31-year-old Meagan, who co-owns the business with her 51-year-old mother, Elizabeth Albani. “You just have to come and see it.”
Both Elizabeth and Meagan explained that their goal in starting 2 Bisous Studio, which officially opened for business Saturday after “a long winter” full of work, was simply to share their many passions with others, and for others to share theirs with them, in a fun, relaxed setting.
The setting they found was a reasonably priced space in an older building with character in downtown Struthers — a place the mother and daughter acknowledged they hadn’t known much about, but were pleasantly surprised by. It seems fitting, then, that through their studio, they hope to help others also “realize the culture in this area,” Elizabeth said.
“We want people to love this area and to really appreciate what they have here,” she added.
And though most everything in 2 Bisous Studio is for sale — a majority of it being upcycled, or repurposed, European vintage pieces purchased by Elizabeth and Meagan while traveling abroad — the Albanis pointed out that their fledgling business is more than a store.
Their ultimate vision for the space is that it become a place where “people will feel comfortable to come in and hang out,” perhaps to check out a foreign film playing there, or to rifle through the pages of a book written in a language that is not their own, Meagan said. Even the studio’s name — which literally means “two kisses” in French, and represents the European custom of greeting others with a kiss on each cheek — reflects this welcoming feeling.
The two said they want the studio eventually to reflect the interests of those who have become a part of it, and are open to suggestions. Their offerings of culture and language classes — among them, American Sign Language, Signed Exact English, English for Second Language Learners and Business English for Second Language Learners — are customizable as well and can be tailored to the individual’s needs and wants.
Elizabeth noted also that 2 Bisous Studio’s class offerings are slightly atypical, and are far removed from the more “institutional” classes that often hinder “the excitement of learning.” Instead, the studio’s classes are hands-on, touting effective communication, which might involve acting out unknown words, over perfect communication.
“It’s not about learning to speak it perfectly,” added Meagan. “It’s about being immersed in it.”
Group classes are $10 per person, per class.
Private tutoring is available upon request, as are classes for those who do not wish to participate verbally.
2 Bisous Studio, at 2 State St., is open from 2 to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and also by appointment. For more information, email 2bisousstudio@gmail.com or visit www.2bisousstudio.com.