A Georgia Southern University alumna is opening a new business, Board & Brush, and is hosting its grand opening Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Statesboro.

Board & Brush is a creative studio franchise with over 229 locations across the United States, according to its website. Customers come to Board & Brush to make personalized wood signs, with instruction from staff and all materials are provided.

Johnna Eaton is the owner of the new Statesboro Board & Brush. Eaton is a GS alumna with a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science.

Eaton currently lives in Swainsboro, where she teaches full-time at East Georgia State College and co-owns FroYo & Joe, a frozen yogurt and coffee cafe, with her husband Justin Eaton.

“My husband and I would love to relocate back to Statesboro with our family,” Eaton said. “We’d love to get back to the Statesboro area, and I feel like Statesboro is experiencing a great period of growth right now. It kind of makes it a perfect location.”

Eaton said she became interested in owning a Board & Brush when she participated in a workshop at her friend’s Board & Brush in Johns Creek. Eaton and her husband both made signs that day.

At the grand opening on Saturday, the first 50 attendees will receive gift bags that may include discounts, shirts and other items, according to the Board & Brush Statesboro Facebook page. One attendee will also win a free VIP workshop for six people.

“There will be a drawing of everyone that comes in, and we will draw a winner,” Eaton said.

Eaton said that there will also be snacks at the event, including Board & Brush cookies, a cheese tray and canned drinks, among other finger foods.

“Well, I’m kind of nervous right now, but I’m really excited,” Eaton said. “I’m excited for people to get to come in and see what the place really looks like on the inside, and just kind of get a feel for what the process is like.”

According to the Facebook page, customers are now able to sign up for the Statesboro Board & Brush’s first workshop and also book private events.

Elizabeth Gross, The George-Anne News Reporter, ganewsed@georgiasouthern.edu