The Fun-est Toy Store One Good Woman Festoon Refindings The Watchmaker's Daughter
The Fun-est Toy Store
You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the bubbles. Park streetside or just around the corner where a free lot makes getting in and out with little ones a breeze.
Inside, one of the first things you’ll see is a wall of rubber duckies, the store’s mascot—ranging from flamenco dancer duckies and film noir characters to astronaut and Phillies fan duckies. Over 8,000 duckies have been sold in the store’s five years of business.
Kids can roam and test toys to tunes like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” while parents find unique lines like Green Toys, made in the USA from recycled milk containers and sawdust. There’s even a recycled plastic recycling truck!
“We try to have unique things,” says owner Melissa Palermo-Spero, but she adds, “don’t assume prices are higher here [than big box stores].”
In hindsight, Melissa always had an entrepreneurial spirit. She used have “Melissa’s Butterfly Shop” when she was 6, where imaginary customers could call and order butterflies; she sold Pound Puppy Shrinky Dinks from her bedroom storefront as a child, too. Now she sells the new hot thing for kids—Squishies.
Be sure to stop by and enjoy Ephrata’s Family Fun Night on July 15 from 5-8pm.
The Fun-est Toy Store // 24 E Main St, Ephrata // 717-738-3000
One Good Woman
The name One Good Woman came from Holly’s Irish mother-in-law. When Holly asked her husband if she could be successful, he replied, “My mother said, ‘all it takes to get something done is one good woman,’ and you are a good woman.”
Camp Hill locals know this hidden gem tucked behind Market Street is the place to go for hostess and any occasion gifts–especially for foodies. One of the most popular items: the signature One Good Woman and One Good Man line of mugs, aprons and more. One Good Woman is also known for an enormous selection of loose teas, coffee and accessories.
Festoon
We love the window at Festoon. Spot it from the heart of downtown Lancaster’s Central Market district as you’re driving up King Street. But don’t just window shop; step inside for the kind of shopping experience only an independent boutique like this can offer. You’ll likely be greeted by Turk, a friendly little Bichon, and Millie, a fluffy white Malti-poo. “People know them by name and ask for them even if they don’t know my name,” laughs owner Kathy Frey.
Since opening seven years ago she has carried a local line of Christina Maser candles, quirky cards, home décor, unique jewelry, hats, purses and attire. Kathy is most excited, though, about the addition of two PA-made clothing lines called Feather and Willow. “We have a myriad of lines from the United States, and customers like that I can walk them right over to those and fair trade lines.”
Kathy, who had a flower shop for 20 years before starting Festoon (which has another location at the Shoppes at Brighton Village), says she’s always been in the world of texture, color and design. “I’m pretty expressive and encourage customers to create their own style.”
Festoon // Hager Arcade; 25 W King St, Lancaster // 717-299-2232 // Shoppes at Brighton Village; 1183 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz // www.shopfestoon.com
Refindings
“Here the public has an opportunity to save parts of architecture from landfills by bringing it and incorporating it into their homes,” says Jim Green, a retired York local who works at Refindings one day a week. “We try to keep prices a little lower than a higher-end antique store so that people can revisit,” he adds. At Refindings, you can find anything from door knobs, doors and lighting to outdoor furniture, planters and fences. Circa Antiques (also featured as one of “Our Favorite Things” in 2009) has warehouse space here with a whole floor dedicated to mid-century Modern furniture. Donations are accepted through Historic York Inc. and consignment is available as well.
Refindings // 465 Prospect St, York // 717-854-7152 // www.refindings.com
The Watchmaker’s Daughter
Since 1945 this downtown York jewelry store has been bringing bling to area residents. Today, The Watchmaker’s Daughter, formerly known as Max Reiss Jewelers, is ushering in a new generation of shoppers and styles. Under the ownership of Karen Reiss Straub, daughter of original owner Max Reiss, the jewelry store not only offers a range of casual to fine pieces from $14 to $14,000, but also a gallery of local art, which is open late on First Fridays. Bringing to the business values important to her, Karen incorporates local artisans’ offerings in her cases, such as jewelry by Lisa Henderson of East Petersburg, Amy Martin of Chambersburg, Ketti Reptisk of York, and her own line, Metta Designs.
Watchmaker’s Daughter // 22 N. Beaver St., York // 717-848-1066 // www.watchmakersdaughter.net
