Greater Parkersburg Unique Shopping Destinations
PARKERSBURG, WV – When the summer heat is too hot to handle, take a break from the back porch and see what unique shopping opportunities await in the Greater Parkersburg area. From chocolate to books and dolls, glass to woodworking equipment and crafts, the area has something unique to cater to everyone’s interests.
For those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth craving, Holl’s Swiss Chocolatier, located at 2001 Grand Central Avenue in Vienna, has the answer, many answers in fact. Customers can now take home a taste of Switzerland in a variety of delicious chocolates such as truffles, milk chocolates, dark chocolates, sugar-free chocolates, and nut and caramel chocolates. Holl’s was founded by Fritz Holl who trained as a candy maker in Switzerland in 1938. In 1958 Fritz immigrated to the United States and in 1986 Holl’s Chocolates was started.
If getting your hands on a good read sounds more appealing to you, then Trans Allegheny Books is where you should be. The bookstore is in the restored 1905 Carnegie Library Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is complete with a wrought iron spiral staircase and stained glass windows. Located on 725 Greene Street in Parkersburg, Trans Allegheny Books is the largest used bookstore in WV. The bookstore boasts over 500,000 used books and more than 1,000 new West Virginia titles in stock.
The Middleton Doll Gift Shop and Museum, at 1301 Washington Blvd. in Belpre, Ohio, is just a short five minute drive from downtown Parkersburg and offers hours of fun for both children and adults. Originally made by Lee Middleton, Middleton dolls have become collector’s items and part of family traditions. Take a free museum tour and then stop at the nursery and let your child pick out a life-like Middleton Doll for their very own!
The Fenton Glass Gift Shop offers the complete line of first-quality Fenton glass, everyday discounted preferred seconds and retired firsts, including many pieces previewed on the Fenton QVC shows, Fenton Glass Collectibles and “West Virginia Made” giftware and home decor. The Fenton Glass Gift Shop, located at 420 Caroline Avenue in Williamstown, is the only Fenton Glass Outlet in the world! In addition to the large gift shop, during the week day visitors can take a free guided factory tour that takes them right to the glassworker’s floor to see the beautiful creations of Fenton being made right there!
For those looking to start a new hobby, Woodcraft has all of your woodworking needs and tools to do the job. Both beginners to experienced woodworkers will find quality woodworking tools, supplies and professional advice. At Woodcraft you can attend free monthly woodworking classes and watch in-store demos on products and tools. Woodcraft is located at 4420 Emerson Avenue in Parkersburg.
If crafts and home décor is what interests you then Parkersburg and the surrounding area have several businesses that can provide hours of shopping fun. The Sunnyside Crafters Mall, LLC on 2504 Pike Street in Parkersburg, offers local crafts, country gifts, Boyds Bears and Longaberger purses and accessories. The Mulberry Lane Country Store, on 4009 Emerson Avenue in Parkersburg, offers unique folk art, home accessories, furniture, pottery, candles, gourmet kitchen, and a variety of different collectibles. My Favorite Things, on 1500 Grand Central Avenue in Vienna, offers bath and body products, collectibles, Christmas decorations, gourmet foods, candy, homemade fudge, dolls and coffee. The Painted Cupboard, at 901 Highland Avenue in Williamstown, is a quaint shopping mall filled with antiques, primitives and hand-crafted treasures.
For those who would rather create their own home décor and have some free time that they are looking to fill need look no farther than the Woolen Willow. The Woolen Willow will be able to help put those idle hands to work on a variety of craft projects. The Woolen Willow is a small needlecraft shop that offers the very finest in quilt fabrics, yarn, wool and rug hooking supplies. The store has been chosen as one of the Top 10 Quilt Shops in the US by Quilt Sampler Magazine and offers a variety of classes for the beginner to the expert. The Woolen Willow is located on 447 Highland Avenue in Williamstown.
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Posted on: June 29, 2008
