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Merchants take step back in time
By MICHAEL GIBBS
Ran in the Northwest Herald on Wed, Feb 11, 2004.
RICHMOND - Joseph and Maija Steele have gone back in time, opening a store that sells
Celtic- and Renaissance-inspired merchandise for the home.
The Steeles have opened Celtic Home and Hearth in a 750-square-foot storefront off Broadway Street.
Celtic Home and Hearth's stock includes baby blankets and bibs, bridal gowns, jewelry, knives, steam-powered trains and swords.
"I have been selling books, flags, knives and swords since 1978," said Joseph Steele, whose family is Scottish-Irish. "When I married Maija more than six years ago, she added sterling silver jewelry and other items catered toward women."
After Joseph Steele retired about a year ago from his job as a site supervisor for the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Steeles went looking for a store location.
They found what they were looking for in Richmond.
"We found Richmond and all of its antique businesses to our liking," Joseph Steele said. "Our building is more than 100 years old. It originally served as the first hardware store in Richmond.
"There are a number of stores here doing business in buildings just as old. Richmond was suited to us."
The Steeles attend about six Celtic marketplaces each year across the country.
It is at these marketplaces the Steeles meet with manufacturers and suppliers to purchase products for Celtic Home and Hearth.
The Steeles also are taking a trip to Ireland at the end of this month in a search for items to bring back to Celtic Home and Hearth.
"Customers come in looking for specific items. We have a short time to impress them with what we sell," Joseph Steele said.
"We still are bringing in more stock. We are optimistic that once we bring in more stock, and more people see our full stock, we will do well."
In addition to their products, the Steeles believe their store atmosphere will resonate with customers. Celtic music greets customers, who on weekends also get the opportunity to sample Celtic treats and tea.
"The ambiance of the store takes me back in time," said Marianne Unger of Salem, Wis., a frequent customer of Celtic Home and Hearth. "The owners are historically keen. When you are at the store, you learn about folklore of Ireland and Scotland."
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