Ezra Wolfe wasn’t looking to start a business – as a junior at Hopkins High School who is in the school musical and on the wrestling team, could he really have time? But in the process of going to thrift stores to find cool, vintage items, Ezra realized that nostalgia can sell.
Ezra is the founder of Bezzy Blankets, which takes vintage sheets that’s found at thrift stores (or his grandparents’ house), and turns them into cozy blankets. He is sharing a stall with his grandfather, watercolor painter Joel Kaplan, at this year’s Dayton’s Holiday Market at The Dayton’s Project in downtown Minneapolis.
“My dad had old Star Wars sheets from when he was a kid, and my mom wanted to turn it into a blanket for him as a gift,” Ezra said. “I got the idea from seeing all kinds of other sheets thrifting and realizing that there might be a market for this, but how many like there’s an abundance of sheets and an abundance of people with nostalgia for them, and a lot a huge need for blankets that are comfortable and fun and unique.”
Some of the blankets that he’s posted on his Instagram account have featured superheroes, Star Wars, and Winnie the Pooh.
“People from different generations have nostalgia for different shows and movies and games, and they fall in love with blankets and they reminisce over experiences they’ve had.
“I think they’re a very emotional product rather than logical.”
The name comes from his nickname – he’s long been called “Ezzy Bezzy” – it was his first Xbox user name and he uses it for social media. But there’s also a logical component.
“I was trying to think of a distinct name that not only was unique, but and that meant something to me,” he said. “And the Zs really go well with like, cozy and fuzzy. And like makes you think of a blanket.”
Joel Kaplan has been at the Dayton’s Holiday Market for the past few years as the former Dayton’s/Marshall Field’s department store space has been rejuvenated. He took up painting as a retirement activity in the early 2000s.
“I had been interested in art in the past and I had studied at the Art Institute when I was a kid,” he said. “But it took a backseat when I started with my family. Until I had the free time, I didn’t do much with it.”
Kaplan had been the director of product and trend development at Dayton’s home furnishings division, so being a part of the market – much like his grandson’s burgeoning business – has been full of nostalgia.
“It’s wonderful,” Kaplan said. “We kind of look [around] at that’s where cosmetics was, that’s where handbags was. I’ve been through the whole building, and they’ve done a marvelous job of renovating that building.”
Kaplan said he is proud of not only getting to do this venture with his grandson but also seeing the work he’s put into it.
“He is very artistic. He’s very creative and always has been. I was pleased to see him do this because I think it’s a really fun idea,” he said. “A couple of the blankets are from sheets that were in our closet. It was hard to throw them away so we gave them to Ezzy.
“[Ezra’s] putting a lot of work into it, and I’ve watched him find the fabrics, and finding a source to sew the blankets.”
Ezra has been finding fabrics to match the sheets at different fabric shops around the area, and his neighbor, Susan Berns – CEO and founder of Fairy Finery – sews the blankets. The blankets come in two sizes – 30×30 inches or 62×40 inches. The larger blankets start at $135 each, and the smaller ones are $55.
“My biggest concern is that it’s a little too expensive. But I’m hoping that that price will go down as it gets cheaper to make them, and as I get better ways to source them,” he said. “But blankets are expensive, and when you have something that’s vintage – some of the sheets alone are hard to find. I’m hoping people see the value in it.”
Mich Berthiume, who’s been curating the vendors for The Dayton’s Holiday Markets since they started, said she’s looking for unique artisans.
“I drive all over the state looking for vendors who have not done this before, so Ezra is perfect for this on so many levels,” she said. “I don’t get entrepreneurs as young as Ezra is. It’s just a huge honor for me to work with somebody who’s that young, that passionate, and that committed.
“It’s brilliant because Dayton’s is so nostalgic, and here Ezra is bringing notalgia [in his blankets].”
Berthiume has had a long relationship with the Kaplan/Wolfe family, and counts Ezra’s mom, Ali Kaplan, as a close friend. But Berthiume also worked with Joel Kaplan when she was at Faribault Woolen Mill Company, and once she curated the market, she brought in Kaplan and his watercolor paintings.
“When we both left Faribault, I found this niche working with local entrepreneurs that just really satisfied my soul,” Berthiume said. “He started doing the markets with me and now we have his grandson. It’s remarkable.”
Kaplan hopes this venture is a success for his grandson.
“In the past, he’s done a lot of schlepping for me,” he said. “Now he’s a part of it.”
The Dayton’s Holiday Market is open through Dec. 30 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
