The building situated at 112 W. Main Street in Owosso, Michigan was built in the early 1900’s.  There is little known about the building until the late 1920’s when John Krust opened “Candyland”, a soda fountain and candy confectionary which quickly became a popular site for the young adults of the 30’s and 40’s.  Candyland closed in 1959 and the building went through a series of different retail and services establishments. 

Don and Jodi Marrah purchased the building in 2001.  Don and his father, Don Marrah, Sr., started the three year revitalization project and completed most all of the work.  Forty ton of building materials was stripped from the building to expose the brick walls and original tin ceiling.  A new support wall was structured to support a sagging second and a new black walnut floor was installed.  To add a contrast to the red brick walls, raised paneling was milled onsite and installed.  The storefront built in the 1960’s was removed and the original storefront shape was replaced.  A fabulous commercial kitchen was installed behind the new support wall.

Because Don and Jodi each own their own respective businesses, it was originally thought the space would be leased out until they retired, however, it occurred to Don during the revitalization of the building that he didn’t want to wait to open their art gallery.  His excitement was overwhelming and Jodi reluctantly agreed, although she was concerned about the small amount of time she felt they could devote to it until they retired. 

Mootzie’s Gallery, named after an old friend, opened with a bang in May, 2004.  Over 1,000 people attended their grand opening.  Mootzie’s original manager, Lisa Bremer-Whitaker, had a vast knowledge of art, jewelry and retail sales, AND she was a graduated chef.  She worked closely with Don and Jodi to nurture the growth of the gallery.  Don quickly saw the potential of adding food events and a liquor license to the establishment – all in the name of art.  Jodi ran with the ideas and added them to the unique, and highly successful, business plan.

Mootzie’s has brought in great chef services to Owosso.  Along with Lisa, the world-renowned Luis Fernandez and his staff of Greg Bailey and Karina Jones have tantalized palettes resulting in waiting lists for reservations for our famous public events and brunches.  Charlie Keenan of the Michigan Out-of-Doors television show has excited patrons with his cuisine.

The interests of the Marrah’s daughters have also inspired services offered at Mootzie’s.  Katie, a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, is an interior designer/architect with Heitz, Parson and Sadek, a firm in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Katie has brought interior design workshops and services to the gallery.  She, along with managers Sara Craven McCullough and Morgan Hernandez-Smith have brought affordable world-class design services to Owosso.  Their consulting services have consisted of adding art, furniture and accessories to a room; selecting wall color, fabrics, furniture rearranging, interior architecture, kitchen designs, preparing and staging homes for resale, and CAD Services. 

Emily, a graduate of Michigan State University is an event planner with the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.  She provides great insight into menu and event planning and beautiful table and room decorations for the fabulous events at Mootzies.

We welcome you to experience Mootzie’s Gallery.

Don and Jodi Marrah are both successful entrepreneurs running separate companies in completely different fields. 

Don founded Don Marrah Auto Body in 1982 and has built a national reputation for automotive design and restoration.  Over the years, his work has been featured in CarCraft, Street Rodder, and several other magazines.  He has won the prestigious the CarCraft National Grand Champiot Award, Cobo Autorama's Best of Show and People's Choice Awards, as well as a close contender for the Ridler Award. He has started applying his artistry to other media, including unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces.  He delights in creating the unexpected, using materials and finishes in unconventional ways.  Mootzie's Gallery is not only an opportunity for Don to push his own creativity to new heights, but to also promote artistic works of others. 

Jodi is the President and CEO of 180 Associates, Inc., a subsidiary of One-Eighty Software Associates, Inc., a software development and systems management firm.  With over 20 years of experience developing and implementing business systems and software solutions, she has built a national clientele.  While Jodi offers a strong business background to Mootzie's Gallery, she also has a passion for the synergy that emerges from bringing together art, creative people, historic preservation and downtown redevelopment.  She has been very active in local historic preservation efforts in her hometown of Owosso, Michigan, as well as in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia, where she and Don restored an old brownstone, and a home in the Northwood Historic District in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Their home in Owosso is a restored, 1830's farmhouse, complete with the restored hip-roof barns.

The talented couple is inspired by their two daughters' interests and career pursuits.  Their eldest daughter, Katie, graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and is an designer for Heitz, Parsons and Sadek in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Their younger daughter, Emily, graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in hospitality business and is the catering conciere for The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.