Eight years in the making, A Country Welcome held a grand opening Wednesday, combining a local shop with an international flair.
The shop at 1205 and 1207 Long, is owned by Kirsten Offutt and Vicki Sele and features a two-level approach to marketing. The local business features collectibles, rubber stamps, plush animals including signature series, and inspirational items.
The international flavor comes from the company’s extensive web site, which features more than 1,500 pages.
“We originally researched putting in a gift shop,” Sele said. “That research took us to the rubber stamp business. It took us eight years to get here but it’s worth it.”
Sele said she is pleased with the way the company’s rubber stamp business has grown, attracting statewide customers and many from foreign countries.
“We’ve even got one customer who lives in Australia who plans to visit us next spring,” Sele said. “She’s going to be in Seattle and wants to drop in.”
Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and Mayor Craig Fentiman helped cut the ribbon to officially open the Sweet Home store.
Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sele and Offutt manufacture their own line of rubber stamps and purchase others.
They can be found on the world wide web at http://www.acountrywelcome.com.