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PUTNAM NEWS
Business owner keeps it local
Debbie Shutts is the new owner of Country Gatherings gift shop in Winfield. These electric, country chandeliers are just one of hundreds of country- and primitive-style items - many of which are locally made - offered in the shop.
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WINFIELD -- If you love Christmas shopping and open houses, mark today and Saturday on your calendar. A new business with an old name is nearby that you might just want to check out.
Country Gatherings, located on Route 35 in Winfield, two doors from Dollar General and beside the BP Station, has everything in the way of country and primitive crafts, wood and upholstered furniture, prints and paintings, candles, swags, rugs, and nearly anything else to make your house stand out this holiday season or any other time.
Although you might recognize the Country Gatherings name, it is now under new ownership, according to owner Debbie Shutts of Eleanor, who said she bought the business just two weeks ago. Not only did she buy some of the existing merchandise, but she also has completely restocked and filled three rooms with some antiques and some brand names you will recognize.
"It's big enough to have a variety, but small enough to be cozy," Shutts said.
While some of the merchandise comes from trips to other states, much of it is local.
"I would rather have local furniture and craftsmen," she said.
If it is pictures for the walls you want, she supplies prints, paintings, and samplers in country, primitive and Christmas themes.
Candles are some of the best ways to decorate and also fill the house with the warm smell of Christmas.
"We have tapers, votives, triple wick, and the Swan Creek Candle Company brand. I've sold them like crazy. People love 'em," she said. She also carries electric candelabras that have the country look.
If you like the country rugs, Shutts carries a large supply.
"We special-order big, braided rugs. We have a large variety of sizes and colors. We have round and oval that can go under the dining room table or in the entryway," she said.
If you like rag dolls, you have to see Maybelle. She is a country doll that has a look all her own. She also has some sisters and cousins sitting around the store.
"A local lady makes these. They have a lot of personality," Shutts said.
Local handmade furniture is always popular. Shutts has a good supply of pie safes, benches, armoires, coffee tables and a huge dining room table. In addition, the country plates gracing the table can be bought as sets or individually.
She also has upholstered furniture such as wing back chairs.
"I have special order upholstered furniture that comes from the Carolinas," she added.
For people in the know who recognize the brand names in primitive prints, there are several Warren Kimbles.
Churches are something that make a nice gift item. Small white, primitive churches with punched tin roofs are going for $10. White punched tin angels are also available. They can stand alone, be placed in a table arrangement, or they can be used as a tree topper. And speaking of Christmas, the store is full of wreaths, Christmas pictures, trees, swags, ornaments -- anything one needs to decorate for the holidays.
"A lot of people come in and buy (trees) already decorated," Shutts said.
Although the stove is not for sale, Shutts has a green, antique kitchen stove that is filled with the wax pies. With the orange lighting left from Halloween, the stove looks as though a small fire is burning and gives the room a cozy look.
One area of the store that is such an eye catcher is what looks like a corner bathroom. A claw foot bathtub painted dark red, with an old washtub, a smaller tub with an old fashioned ringer, and a primitive shower curtain makes one stop and take a second and third look. You can buy shower curtains, table cloths, napkins, placemats and some country curtains in this store.
Country Gatherings also carries plenty of gift items -- anything for the kitchen and bath, potpourri, tarts and tart burners, decorative platters, bowls, and decorative shutters with roosters or punched tin.
Debbie Shutts recently gave up her job as an administrative assistant to fulfill her dream of owning a business.
"I've lived in Putnam County all my life and I wanted a business," she said. "I do a lot of quilting and painting and things I enjoy. This is just an extension of that."
She is hoping to have a class soon for making gingerbread houses and may include more in the future.
"If people ask for something (a class) and I have someone local who could do it, I will," she said. "There are some things that older people know how to do that is getting lost because younger people can't do them," she said.
Shutts said although she doesn't have her sign yet, she has been doing a good business.
"It's been really good considering we don't have a sign," she said.
Two women who have been watching for the "open" sign are Lori and Claudette Wiseman from Jackson, Ohio. On this day they were buying two of the churches and a picture. They said they come through the area pretty often on their way to Moses-BMW.
"We've always wanted to stop, but it wasn't open when we came through. It is so pretty," Lori said. Will they be back?
"Yes, definitely. I have a Victorian house. She's ordering the big picture. Everything has to be big," Lori said, laughing.
Shutts and her sister, Terry Angler, who has been giving her a hand whenever possible, invite anyone who is looking for a special gift -- or just curious -- to come to their open house today and Saturday. Open House is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., today and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17.
"We'll have specials, door prizes, and hot apple cider if we can get it," she said. "More stuff is coming in if you don't see something you like," she said.
Hours for the store are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (304) 586-3311.
If you go
What: Open house at Country Gatherings
Where: Gift shop is located on Route 35, Winfield (two doors from Dollar General)
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Saturday (Nov. 16-17)
Features: Door prizes, specials, hot apple cider
For more: Call the store at (304) 586-3311
