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Quilts, vintage items on display
By SEAN BARRON
COLUMBIANA
Are you on the hunt for an early-20th-century Underwood typewriter, a writing table for children assembled in 1913, or a 1916 wind-up, desktop phone?
Then look no further than the main portion of Columbiana: Main Street, that is.
Those vintage items, along with countless other pieces of hard-to-find merchandise, can be found at Ann’s Attic antiques on Main Street.
The business, owned by Ann and Larry Canale, is one of many being showcased during the annual two-day Springtime in Columbiana event, which continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today on and near the square.
The primary purpose of the gathering, sponsored by the Retail Merchants Association, is to highlight what the town has to offer and get more people to shop at local businesses, organizers said.
Ann Canale, a teacher at Lordstown Elementary School, opened her business in November 2008 and sells a large amount of vintage jewelry, some dating to the 1920s, she said.
A sampling of her other offerings includes a 1922 Victrola wind-up phonograph on which 78-rpm records can be played; a box filled with out-of-print long-playing albums; and the writing table with a desk on one side and a chalkboard on the other.
Despite the tough economy, the business sees many repeat customers largely because it has reasonable prices and a familylike atmosphere, she said. Another reason is because many of the items elicit pleasant childhood memories for people, Canale explained, adding that she gets much of her merchandise by attending one or two auctions each week.
“It’s probably one of the best things we ever did,” Canale said, referring to the couple’s decision to open their business in the two-story, white-brick structure. “People who come in are all nice.”
For those with a flair for the purely modern, there’s Pewter Peddler Inc., owned by Beverly Sciaretta.
The 32-year-old business sells, among other things, soy candles, baby and wedding gifts, reproduction tinware, colonial and rustic accessories and other “feel-good stuff,” Sciaretta said.
Some customers visit from as far away as Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Canton, she added.
Pewter Peddler was started by Shirley Strishock, owner of The Cricket Box, which is next door.
The Cricket Box’s features include dry sinks, hutches, farm tables, mantels and a variety of custom-made furniture, all designed, built and painted by Strishock’s husband, William.
“He was a builder all his life,” said Strishock, who also is Sciaretta’s mother.
The Cricket Box, located in a former drugstore, was established about 10 years ago and also sells lamps, quilts and other accessories to go with the furniture, she continued.
Springtime in Columbiana began 15 to 20 years ago, but many antique stores had left town since, noted Larry Deidrick, president of both the Retail Merchants Association and the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce.
Nevertheless, many such businesses have returned in recent years, noted Deidrick, who also owns YourOnline AuctionPlace.com, which accepts most items people drop off and sells them on eBay.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to get this little town’s businesses built back up,” Deidrick said.