Been to a Big Boy? You’ve seen the work of locally owned Glasshand LLC

If you’ve seen those big fiberglass squirrels in Glendale, the http://cincinnati.com/bigpiggig big pigs downtown, or have ever visited a Frisch’s Big Boy, then you’ve gotten an up-close look at the work of locally-based Glasshand LLC.Glasshand, which takes projects from concept to custom painted finish, has been around since 1989, but new owners, husband and wife Rokeya and Steve Brauch, and Mark Wright bought the business in August 2009.Steve Brauch and Wright knew the business well before taking it over. Brauch was Glasshand’s principal sculptor and designer for more than a decade, and Wright was the longtime shop manager. “The prevoius owners started another business … but we saw potential in Glasshand, so we decided to start fresh and take over,” said Rokeya, also the office manager.The company retained five employees from the former owners, and hired one new worker. The business employs sculptors, fabricators and model makers. Early this year, Glasshand relocated from Cleves to Woodlawn to be closer to local customers. Glasshand has a Greater Cincinnati client base, but also serves clients across the United States. Projects run the gamut from public and commercial art to roller coaster bodies and theme park displays.Among their customers are American Custom Trailers, the Cincinnati Zoo, Yogi Bear Jellystone Park campgrounds, Gotham Cruisers http://www.gothamcruisers.com/index.htm and Frisch’s Big Boy (yep, they make Big Boy himself).”We can do everything here, sometimes people bring ideas scribbled on a napkin and we take from there,” Rokeya said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Rokeya Brauch, Glasshand LLC office manager