Woodstock's push for making its downtown an arts hub has gained a boost from a 90-employee company.

Glassbaker Inc., a northeast Cobb County company that produces tens of thousands of handmade glass beads a month for jewelry sold worldwide, announced Thursday it's relocating its operations to downtown Woodstock.

The company, which employs eight staff members and 80 artists who make beads, will move as soon as January to the current site of Priest Home Furnishings on Main Street.

Herb Priest, owner of the longtime furniture store, said he and his family have not yet decided whether to reopen in another location.

Glassbaker Inc. is owned by Mary Guay of Woodstock and her son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Analisa Guay of Marietta.

Mary Guay said the move to the city "was such a perfect fit for us," as the company is running out of room at its current location.

"We're so happy," she said, noting the furniture store is roughly 24,000 square feet.

Under the name Woodstock Art Glass, the company will house its offices, production space and a retail store there. The store will sell a variety of handmade glass products, such as art, jewelry and housewares.

Veteran glass artists will conduct art courses open to the public, and an art studio toward the back of the building will be available for use by local artists.

The Guays approached Priest about moving into his location at the urging of Billy Peppers, the city's economic services director and executive director of the Downtown Development Authority.

"Billy Peppers was unbelievably helpful," Mary Guay added.

The DDA entered into an agreement with the state Department of Community Affairs to obtain Downtown Development Revolving loans for the company to use to purchase the building.

The company will receive a low-interest $240,000 loan that it will pay directly back to the state government.

Peppers noted the company's plans are in line with the trend of shoppers wanting to purchase handcrafted goods from local companies.

"I feel that companies like Woodstock Arts Glass are going to be the next wave of entrepreneurship in our downtown area," he said, adding the company's presence also will bring more artists downtown.

The news comes on the heels of the opening downtown of restaurants and stores such as J. Christopher's and Pro Moto Sports, and the purchase of land for the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center.

Glassbaker started in 1999 after Mary Guay took a two-hour class to learn how to make glass beads with her daughter-in-law, who then was her son's girlfriend. They began making beads and sold them on eBay.

The business grew, and their products were picked up by New York-based jewelry distributor Chamilia. Along with the U.S., the company ships to customers in western Europe and Australia.

Priest said he soon will begin offering specials to liquidate his merchandise in time for the move.

A decision on whether to relocate will be made by his family, which includes his son-in-law who manages the store, based on the state of the economy.

Priest Home Furnishings opened in its current location in 1963, but operated in other Woodstock locations during the 1950s.

Priest, 67, grew up in Woodstock and has seen the city transform into an Atlanta suburb over the past 40 years.

"Woodstock has been wonderful to my family," he said.

He added he thinks the Guays will succeed in downtown Woodstock.

"They are great people and have a unique business," he said.

The Guays said they hope to hold a grand opening once they are moved into the location.

"We love that area," Mary Guay said of Main Street.