UPDATE (August 4, 2016): Grant Henry’s ‘Church Murch’ To Open September 7.
And on the seventh day, entrepreneur Grant Henry planned a new retail store piggybacking off the success of Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium — a bar filled with his kitschy religious artwork that playfully mocks traditional church culture.
There is no resting for Henry, who doesn’t “plan on stopping,” the artist turned businessman told What Now Atlanta (WNA) in a telephone conversation Saturday about his new ventures. “I’ll die first.”
On the heels of opening a second location of the Edgewood Avenue hotspot in Athens, Ga., Henry has plans to bring Church Murch (it’s a store!) to the ground level of 489 Edgewood Avenue, adjacent Old Fourth Distillery.
Henry is part of an LLC purchasing 489 Edgewood Avenue which will share the building.
Church Murch will retail everything from “vintage choir robes with ‘I F*cked Fear At Church’ embroidered on them,” “F*ck Fear” t-shirts, hoodies, and hats, to greeting cards, coffee mugs, Bible Belts, coozies, “Church dildo bottle openers,” bumper stickers, and Sister Louisa’s art.
“It’s visible from Church. Bartenders can point to the blue neon that says ‘Church Murch (It’s a store!)’ where merchandise will be sold and displayed.”
Slated to open in October, the 1650-square-foot space complete with a patio, will serve “parishioners” daily 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The space will double as a fulfillment and distribution center for Church Murch’s online store. “It’s a kick-ass space with brick walls, concrete floors, and an awesome storefront.”
Henry is also planning Grant Henry Modern, an appointment-only mid-century and modern furniture, and home goods store.
“I’m collaborating with an invited modern enthusiast, dealer on a monthly basis to have a once-a-month show and party where modern furnitures, accessories, and art are showcased and for sale. High End, investment-grade stuff.”
In 1996, Henry owned and operated Resurrection Antiques and other Worldly Possessions in East Atlanta.
“I’m equally excited about both and am working daylight to bedtime pulling it off.”
![Grant Henry [Photo: The Self Portrait Project]](https://whtnwmg.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Grant-Henry-Church-Murch.jpg)
2 Responses
Your illustration/map is incorrect–the store will be next door to O4W Distillery, not across from it. The mural is not on the outside of the distillery but across from it.
Mark, good catch. The illustration has been updated. Thank you! ~ CJS