It’s a wonderful life for unique shop Stifel & Capra – quite literally. Owner Theresa Stifel named it with director Frank Capra of “It’s a Wonderful Life” in mind. Even the tagline reads, “Art & ornament for your wonderful life.”

Stifel’s choice of title was spot on. The shop has become an artistic hotspot for City of Falls Church residents and local art enthusiasts alike. “It’s a fall in love kind of place,” Stifel said. “There’s always something new to see and someone new to meet. It’s changing constantly.”

Stifel & Capra is home to local artists selling their original works in working art studios with gallery-style displays. Stifel described the shop as the art gallery for people who are scared of art galleries. “It’s the fun un-gallery,” she said. “It really is. It’s for people who think art galleries are stuffy or inaccessible. That’s not us."

The shop also offers an eclectic mix of vintage items, most of which were made 25 to 75 years ago and are still in great condition. “I don’t like to see waste in the world,” Stifel said. “If you don’t take advantage of the beauty and practicality of these pieces, they will go into the trash heap. It’s a matter of good stewardship, plus they’re really pretty.”

The shabby chic feel of the shop combined with the sense of community created by the artists gives Stifel & Capra it’s appeal. “Everything is just so unique or handmade and it’s for people that don’t want to see themselves coming and going while walking through the mall,” Stifel said. “It’s not a mall experience. We try to learn people’s names. We try to learn what people like. It’s shopping like it was 60 years ago.”

Stifel & Capra first opened its doors across the street from the City of Falls Church farmers market on July 2, 2007. Earlier that year, Stifel’s husband Bob became critically ill and she realized being a stay-at-home mom and an artist on the side wasn’t in the cards. She had worked as a recruiter for 20 years and also had some experience in commercial sales and business development. She decided to utilize her combined work experience by selling her art and her neighbors’ art.

Her first art and ornament gallery consisted of the Walnut Hills Artist Group, formed by Stifel and some of her artist neighbors who were all looking to expand their art careers and support the local art community. Business boomed the first year and the shop continued to expand.

Stifel said that the primary reason the shop appealed to a certain segment of the marketplace is the same reason that people were going to the farmers market across the street: to see the local production of things. “It’s a think globally, act locally attitude and it’s en vogue,” Stifel said. 

In March 2009, Stifel tripled the shop’s space by moving into their current location at 260 W. Broad St. and the doors opened for business a month later. The shop owner said business has been better than ever, some of which she attributes to the popular FIRSTfriday events. On the first Friday of each month, the shop features a different artist or artisan and extends an open invitation to the local community from 5 – 8pm.

“It’s like having a party every month,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great time to meet people. I’m a firm believer that the more people that see your work, the more people that will come to see you, too.”

Stifel said she tries to mix up the art, from traditional to contemporary and somewhere in between. “I like the fact that some of our artists have been at it for 40 years and have awards and have been around the block and for others it might be their first space and it’s exciting,” she said. “They’re in different stages of their careers and they’re all very talented.”

Fine artist Angela Williams moved into her studio space in June 2009. “I was immediately taken with the fun, vintage atmosphere of the shop and the talented resident artists,” Williams said. “I love creating in the second floor studios but I also love working and browsing in the shop. It feeds my creativity to see the constant flow of unique merchandise, new and old. I always find items that inspire my art and my wardrobe.”

Jewelry designer and metalsmith Christine Bartoletta of Society Hill Designs has showcased her artisan and vintage collections in Stifel & Capra for almost two years. “Having a studio here has really changed how I work,” Bartoletta said. “When I worked from home, I found myself easily distracted, quick to procrastinate and often isolated. The energy here is so positive and inspiring. It is a gift to be surrounded by so many talented and kind female artists. And, I've never laughed so much in my life. We really have fun here. I feel like a kid again.”