By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
PEMBERVILLE—Walk through the double green doors of Beeker’s General Store this time of year and the magic of Christmas comes alive.
Twelve themed Christmas trees are tucked into spaces in the deep, nostalgia-filled store that is part store, part museum.
“We sell memories,” said owner and designer Todd Sheets, who with Michele Poturalski, spends the better part of each year envisioning what next year’s holiday displays and merchandise will be.
Instead of creating an overall theme each year, they stick with nostalgia as the basis and incorporate special touches from front to back and side to side.
“We’ve tried different color schemes over the years, but we always come back to red and green as the most nostalgic,” Sheets said.
Poturalski is the one who develops the vision for the displays and merchandise. Though the effort to get everything ready for the holiday season of shopping can be exhausting, it is also a labor of love.
She visits other stores and tracks ideas and trends even before the current holiday season is over, but ultimately, the goal is to create an atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by, she said.
The store is filled with memory-making displays and items for sale; however, Sheets and Poturalski work extra hard to make sure the display windows capture some of those throw-back memories of the display windows, reminiscent of old-time favorites such as Tiedtke’s, Lasalle’s, The Lion Store, FW Woolworth, Lamson’s and Kresge’s.
They work with a lot of local artisans for merchandise as well as display stands and props. This year’s local contributors include “bicycle man” Dave Snyder, retired painter Dale Fahle, fabric artist Chris Budke, wood artist Janet Smith and wood craftsman Jim Bowe.
“They work behind the scenes, adding just the right touch to the displays and trees throughout the store,” Sheets said.
Mixing new with some of the vintage display items is what brings the Christmas magic to life, he added. Poturalski also stays in touch with the artists who create merchandise to make sure the items offer customers new and fresh gifts or décor ideas each year.
“The artisans really stepped up this year and put their best foot forward,” she said.
There are plenty of angels, cardinals, nativities, bubble lights, mercury glass ornaments, felted creations, jewelry and framed art, hand-painted cards, leather goods, everlasting floral wreaths, and always an assortment of vintage candies.
“I usually start at one spot in the store, but I will use some of the same displays from previous years but in different ways,” she added.
They have created a pop-up addition next door with more displays and holiday items for visitors to enjoy.
“I really enjoy decorating the store and helping people see the joy of the season,” Poturalski said.
For Sheets, “I love seeing the families come in and experience the magic of Christmas.” During the 28 years they have owned and operated the store, they have seen parents and children, grandchildren and grandparents visit each year.
While this time of year is when most people are in the Christmas spirit, Sheets said they maintain a section of the store dedicated to Christmas year-round, sort of like a miniature Bronner’s. Former residents often will visit the store looking for Christmas items when they are in town to see relatives or return for the Pemberville Fair.
The store is part of the Christmas in the Village experience in Pemberville this weekend. Today’s hours (Nov. 26) are noon to 6 p.m. Pemberville’s Bigger and Brighter-themed annual Lighted Christmas Parade follows at 6:30 p.m.
The parade will start at the corner of Memorial Drive and Front St. (State Route 105) near the Pemberville Public Library, travel west through the downtown business district, and end near the Pemberville Town Hall/Mason Park.
Santa Claus will be the parade finale and will lead guests to Mason Park at the corner of Main and Pine Streets for the annual Christmas tree lighting. The Eastwood 7th Grade Band will perform musical selections for the carol sing. Santa Claus and Pemberville Mayor Carol Bailey will welcome guests and light the tree.
Regular store hours through Christmas Eve are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. through Christmas Eve. For those wishing to visit the general store between Christmas & New Year’s, it’s a great time to shop, Sheets said. The store will be open Dec. 27-30 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Dec. 31, noon to 4 p.m.
