Country Baskets, Crafts & Gifts has opened in rural Sycamore and invites people to visit the store to view for themselves its variety of gift items.
"I've had it for 14 years and it was a success no matter where I went," said owner Elinor Ames. "If people would come here and see it, they would come back. I know they would."
Ames said she originally wove baskets to sell in her store, but merchandise has changed through the years. She no longer makes baskets, but has retained the name.
A native of Port Clinton, Ames opened her first store at Lakeside in 1998, and moved from Lakeside to Marblehead.
A couple years ago she met her significant other, Larry Goodman, and recently decided to move to Sycamore.
He remodeled his office to create a store for her.
"He's the builder behind it all, and he has good taste," Ames said.
Today, the store carries a wide variety of gift items and crafts - from metal pumpkins she designed to red, white and blue American items.
There also are flip-flops, bath and body soaps and lotions, soy candles, greeting cards, jelly, decorative holiday items, wreaths, purses, potpourri, crystal potpourri, Ohio State items and a variety of beads, to name a few.
"The 1803 candles are, in my mind, the best candles ever," she said.
"There's a little bit of everything for everybody," she said. "There isn't anything in my store I haven't tried or I don't like.
"There isn't anything here that I don't use," she said. "I think that's the way it ought to be."
She recommended an item called Sore No More as a rub for ridding the body of arthritis pain and similar pains because it has all-natural ingredients.
"My holiday stuff is out all the time," she said. "But I change the displays for each season."
Taking center stage right now are Halloween and Christmas.
She said she adds new items if people request them or "as the mood strikes us."
Ames said the property also would be a good place for ladies' groups or card clubs to visit for meetings. Tables overlook a scenic pond in the rural setting.
The store, at 3849 SR 231, Sycamore, is about 20 minutes from Tiffin.
Hours are noon-7 p.m. daily.
For more information, call (419) 927-2275.
