Vicki Joan Keck, owner of Ivy Arts Copy & Print
Vicki Joan Keck, the owner of Ivy Arts Copy & Print, greets everyone with a big smile and warm hello. Her motto and goal is to be “Your Neighborhood Print Shop” and she loves helping customers make their dreams come true. Ivy Arts Copy & Print is an independently owned shop run by theater artists with a focus on printing for the arts and the neighborhood community. As Vicki describes it, “No bells, whistles or million dollar machines. Just friendly personal service and low prices from people who care!”
Vicki opened the print shop in September 2013 after spending 13 years running the Augsburg College copy center. Her job was eliminated earlier that year when the college decided to cut costs and outsource those services. An actress with many connections to the theater community, Vicki’s friend Rick Coleman was running a copy shop in New Richmond, WI. Rick also operates two theaters with Kathy Welch through their business Green T Productions. He didn’t have time to run the copy shop full time, so Vicki suggested they move it to the Twin Cities where she could run it. She visited the Ivy Building and got on the waiting list for space, as she was impressed by the building and the vibrant community of artists. When a ground floor space with its own entrance became available she and Rick knew this was the place. The location also serves Vicki well as she lives on the West Bank and doesn’t own a car, so the #7 bus line is her convenient route to work. Her business partner Rick manages the finances from New Richmond.
A full service copy and print shop, Ivy Arts Copy & Print can help you with brochures, postcards, buttons, business cards, booklets, binding, laminating, and more. The shop does a lot of posters, programs and other printing for local theaters such as Open Eye, Bedlam and Frank Theater, so stopping at the front counter is a great way to see what shows are running. An actress herself, Vicki is also known as Vicki Joan the Rainbow Lady in her work as a storyteller. Right now the print shop is producing a lot of calendars for local artists, as well as chapbooks and zines. Currently Vicki is the primary employee, with one assistant who is there a few afternoons a week. She would like to add staff and offer more services like large format printing. She also hopes to upgrade the equipment as they grow. A new member of SCCA in 2015, Vicki enjoys connecting with other businesses and artists in the neighborhood.
If you need to copy, print, fax, or scan something, stop by Ivy Arts Copy & Print at 2637 27th Ave S, Suite 6 in the Ivy Building. Look for their sandwich board on the sidewalk. Hours: 11 am – 6 pm, Mon-Fri AND by appointment. Vicki says never hesitate to contact her if you need a job done on the weekend. She is happy to open up with advance notice. 612-728-8000 or printer@ivyartscopy.com.
