Couple create fountains in store

Cascading waterfalls, exotic wall fountains, mystical fog and the soft aroma of candles saturate the air at Waterfalls of the Fingerlakes along Franklin Street.

- Watkins shop expands hours as co-owner's health improves.
By JENNIFER KINGSLEY
Star-Gazette
jkingsley@stargazette.com
WATKINS GLEN --


JENNIFER KINGSLEY/Star-Gazette

Michael and Jacki Giasi create water fountains in a gallery in their store, Waterfalls of the Fingerlakes, on Franklin Street in the village of Watkins Glen. The store recently expanded its hours because Jacki Giasi, who is battling multiple sclerosis, is feeling better.

It's an ambience, complete with machine-generated fog, created by Michael and Jacki Giasi, who made many of the store's treasures. The shop offers items from $5 candles to $5,000 fountains, Jacki Giasi said.

The store, which has been open about a year, serves as a gallery for the married Watkins Glen couple, who make many of the water fountains, agate stone night lights and wind chimes that are being sold.

They also sell gemstone candle holders, reproduction Tiffany lamps, aromatherapy items and related items in the store and on a Web site. They have been selling on the Web for about eight years.

"It was also for our sanity," Jacki Giasi said about moving the gallery from their home to the store. "We were home 24 hours a day, seven days a week -- together. We had to get out of the house."

The Giasis opened the store in May 2002, but because Jacki Giasi was suffering from complications from multiple sclerosis, a disease she was diagnosed with 10 years ago, they were unable to maintain regular hours.

But in recent months, Jacki Giasi has been feeling better and the store is now open five days a week. The Giasis have also hired a part-time employee to help.

Michael Giasi's 11-year-old son, Michael Zachary Giasi, also pitches in and helps create the agate stone night lights, which sell for around $12.

With every sale of a handcrafted fountain created by the Giasis, at least 10 percent of the proceeds goes to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"We donate a higher percentage with larger sales," said Michael Giasi, a former winemaker.

It takes about a year for a Giasi fountain to be shipped, which includes a six-month critique period, done by the Giasis.

"We won't ship anything unless it's perfect," Jacki Giasi said. That means no leaks, no imperfections, she said.

The Giasis have shipped their fountains all over the world -- France, England, Turkey, Thailand and Puerto Rico, Jacki Giasi said.

For those who live nearby, the Giasis will release a fountain earlier.

"We always tell them about what could happen and assure them they can return it," Jacki Giasi said.

If you go
What: Waterfalls of the Fingerlakes, 20 N. Franklin St. in Watkins Glen.
Schedule: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, but the store may be open if the Giasis are working in the gallery.

Phone: 607/535-9709.