 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
By Catrina McCulley Wagner Country Christmas Stores A whole new rural Illinois shopping experience
Tis the season for hot chocolate with melted marshmallows, singing Christmas carols, good tidings, friends and family, and, oh yes, we mustn't forget about Christmas shopping.
Through the hustle and bustle of your busy holiday shopping, you strive to find the perfect gifts for all your loved ones. Something unique and different. Something they will truly appreciate. But year after year, this becomes more of a challenge. Maybe that's because you haven't been shopping in the right places. It's not difficult to find distinctive, one-of-a-kind gifts. You just have to know where to shop. If you're ready to get away from the big city crowds and congested malls, come along with us as we visit some locally-owned shops that put the "E" in an easy shopping experience. One of the shops we will visit is located in a glorious old farmhouse nestled between valleys, hills, and trees, while the others are a little more strategically located-right off of 1-55. No matter where they sit, there's no doubt that the best Christmas shopping around is located just a few miles off the 10 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop
beaten path in rural Illinois. Eleven years ago, Ruth Wilson, a Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC) member and owner of Country Lace Shoppes in Divrneon, decided to open a specialty shop that encompassed everything she cherished about shopping. "I just loved to go in search of cute little crafts and unique antiques. I used to stop every chance I could to see what treasures I could find. Then one day, I asked myself, 'if I love this so much, why wouldn't everyone else?'" Soon after, Country Lace Shoppes was born. "We are not a chain, and we don't sell bulk merchandise," says Ruth. "We like to think we are different from other stores. Our merchants sell everything from hand-made crafts to hard-to-find antiques. There's something here for everyone." And right down the lane from Country Lace Shoppes is another rural craft mall also served by RECC called Nickorhob's Craft Mall. Brothers, Nicholas and Robert Britz, opened Nickorbob's 10 years ago adjacent to their parents' antique mall, Lisa's Antiques. "Christmas shopping should get you into the holiday spirit, but unfortunately it often does just the opposite," says Tammy Britz, Robert's wife, and part owner of Nickorbob's Craft Mall. "We try to make sure your warm holiday mood stays with you while you shop with us. Nothing's worse to me when I shop than seeing other people running around not enjoying themselves because the stores are too crowded or they feel rushed." Nickorbob's carries an assortment of holiday gift ideas from unique foods to blankets, candles, and jewelry. "We try our hardest to make your visit with us memorable and enjoyable. The crafters in our mall have been with us for a very long time. We are more DECEMBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 11
like family than co-workers," Tammy says. "If you see something you like, but would like it in a different color or size, just ask, and we will do our best to have one of our crafters make it just the way you want it." Now that's what customer service is about. "I find that shopping here at the craft malls in Divernon, I can find original things that I can't find other places. I shop in small-town stores all the time, and constantly find the most wonderful gifts for people," says Gail Springer, a customer at Nickorbob's. "Last year, I found the most darling hand-crafted sign that I gave to my sister for Christmas. It was made of weathered wood and it was very antique looking. It said, 'God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.' My sister loved that gift so much that she gave it a home above her front door for all to see, especially her kids," laughs Gail. This year, Ruth says the most popular gift item at Country Lace has been candles. "We have all kinds of candles. It's probably a good thing we do, because people love to give them and receive them as gifts."
And when's the last time your local mall had a festival in your honor? Both Nickorbob's and Country Lace Shoppes celebrate their customers three times a year by having customer appreciation festivals. "Our festivals (Nickorbob's and Country Lace) tend to be planned at about the same time to get more people to come see us both. It's even better if Springfield has something big going on, too. That way people will often make a day of it," says Tammy. "We look forward to the festivals. We give out free food and mulled cider and have candlelight shopping 12 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop tours through the mall. Our customers really love it. It's very relaxing for them. It's not like your typical Christmas shopping experience," Tammy adds. "We send out fliers about our festivals because we want to encourage people who may not be familiar with us to come and visit. We have merchandise discounts and various samples for customers to try. The people that come really enjoy themselves," says Ruth. But there is more country Christmas shopping to explore in other parts of Illinois. Up in the peaks and hills of Northern Illinois sits a small rural town called Scales Mound, located just seven miles northeast of Galena. No matter what time of year it is everywhere else, it's always Christmastime at Christmas In The Valley, Inc. With Christmas music lightly playing in the background, ornament-decorated Christmas trees, and plush greens adorning the scenery, it's easy to slip right into the holiday spirit just walking to the door. "I simply love Christmas," says Sue Shellady, a Jo-Carroll Energy member who, along with her husband, Ron, renovated an old farmhouse to create the quaint Christmas shop. "Fifteen years ago, when we bought this property, I decided I wanted to open a store surrounding myself with all the things I love so I could share them with everyone," Sue says. "It's not work if you love what you do." The property is split into two separate shops, both owned by the Shelladys. What once was an old hog barn has since been completely renovated and is now home to thousands of Christmas ornaments sectioned into 15 different themes. "People young and old come in to buy the ornaments," says Bonnie Dalponte, an employee of Christmas In The Valley. "We offer candy for all the little ones who come in. They get so excited when we show them the children-themed ornaments. We have everything from Barney to Disney," she says. "And for people who are not into Christmas ornaments, we filled the farmhouse with various home decor, candles, jewelry, art, children's items, pottery, food, and much more. "More importantly, what we have that other shops don't is our rural location," Sue emphasizes. "I've had people come visit in the morning, wander in and out of the shops, and spend five hours or so just sitting on the front porch of the farmhouse enjoying the rural scenery." And some people,like Don Mathews of Iowa and his family, even make a trip to Christmas In The Valley a yearly tradition. "My wife, daughter, and I have been coming to Christmas In The Valley every year religiously for the past 12 years," Don says. "We make a day of coming to buy a new ornament or two for our Christmas tree. It's a tradition for us." So now that the secret is out, why not make your list, check it twice, and follow Ruth, Tammy, Sue and all the other store owners throughout rural Illinois for a whole new Christmas shopping adventure? Happy shopping!
DECEMBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 13 |
|
|
