Photo by David W. Smith/Daily NewsKaren McGinn, who recently moved to Horse Cave, is set to open Fine Art and Folk Art Gallery and Gallery Donuts and Bakery - an art gallery and studio with an attached bakery. The art studio is set to open Friday and the bakery is expected to open around May 15.

Karen McGinn and her family made a pit stop in Horse Cave when visiting Mammoth Cave from her home in Atlanta. That’s when she decided to move to the small town.

“We fell in love with this town,” she said.

McGinn and her family moved to Horse Cave two weeks ago and are working toward the grand opening of her new art shop and bakery – another staple in the downtown Horse Cave redevelopment project.

Local businesspeople decided about five years ago to upgrade four old buildings in hopes of attracting new businesses and revitalizing downtown Horse Cave.

“We have things in very good shape as far as the public areas,” said Ken Russell, president of the Horse Cave Development Corp. “Anytime you have multiple locations as compared to one, you’re more likely to draw people. People like to come to clusters of shops.”

So far, the organization has occupied three of the four buildings with Brandie Lynn’s, an upscale gift shop; Scrap Happy, a scrapbook store; and McGinn’s business, Fine Art and Folk Art Gallery and Gallery Donuts and Bakery – an art gallery and studio with an attached bakery.

The art studio is set to open Friday and the bakery is expected to open around May 15.

McGinn and co-owner Gene Bowen purchased the old Dollar General Store building after someone suggested they open a shop in Horse Cave.

“We just liked it down here and thought we could find out what kind of businesses there are,” McGinn said.

McGinn and her family were visiting the area and discussing business possibilities while dining in a local restaurant. Someone overheard their conversation and called Russell.

“I’ve had a studio twice before and as I’ve moved around, it’s moved with me,” she said.

McGinn is an artist and a gemologist, someone who studies gemstones, and once owned a jewelry shop. She also decorated cakes for 35 years, and Bowen is a professional photographer.

Along with showcasing pieces of art, the shop will double as a studio, teaching painting, pottery, weaving, spinning, ceramics and photography.

The other half of the shop will offer cooking classes, cake decorating classes and plenty of sweets, including donuts, pies and cakes.

“A little bit of everything, we’ve even tried some bread,” McGinn said. “That’s a really, really neat bakery.”

Now, the development corporation is looking to lease or sell its fourth and final building, which sits across from the American Cave Museum. The recession has not slowed the development project too much; although one potential business fell through when the owner decided the timing wasn’t right, Russell said.

“It obviously was a great risk for us, and as the economy did slow, there was some concern,” Russell said. “I think we’ve been very fortunate and very successful that we have (occupied) three of the four.”

Now, McGinn and Bowen are putting the finishing touches on the shop and are trying to land some local art in anticipation of opening day. They’re also gutting the second floor of the building to make two apartments, one of which they will occupy.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it already,” McGinn said. “It’s been a fantastic journey.”