Name of business: The Red Raven

Name of owner: Cheryl Sherman

Address of business: 201 S. Front St.

Telephone number: (269) 462-9144

Date business opened: May 2010 in Dowagiac. Previously, in St. Joseph; Huntsville, Ala.; and upstate New York.

What type of business do you operate? — what you sell, services provided. We “rehab” furniture — “upcycle,” giving it a new look, new use, new life. Dressers into bathroom vanities, beds into benches and so much more! We do sell clothing for men and women, but are phasing it out to make way for more home furnishings. We also have a line of new books and gift items, comic books and supplies and Bridgewater candles.

Where are you from and why did you decide to open in Cass County? I am originally from upstate New York. I fell in love with my building the first time I drove through town four years ago, but I had signed a two-year lease in St. Joe. But towards the end of my lease, I was just drawn to the laid-back town of Dowagiac.

What sets your business apart from similar ventures? Right now there are several shops here that do similar things with furniture. What’s amazing is we all have our own style, so we are all completely different, but alike! It also helps that we all work really well together.

What types of customers do you reach? Our customers are so diverse. We have all ages coming in. Newlyweds to newly retired. We hope to continue seeing “new” faces along with our regulars.

Why did you choose to open where you did? I opened here in Dowagiac and haven’t looked back yet. I love having Sundays off here, which gives me time to work on stock and family time as well.

What are your plans for your company’s future? In the future I hope to continue this path of recycling — the next generation understands the importance of going green. We’ve embraced it on our own here by keeping as much stuff out of the dump and making it useful. They just don’t make stuff like they used to, so with a facelift, these items will be here to stay.