Jul 22, 2010

Marcel’s Pottery well known for cement workBy Jeff PikulskyPittsburghLive.com

Offering unique creations has helped Marcel’s Pottery remain firmly rooted along Route 51.

More than 700 cement items displayed at the store on the outskirts of Perryopolis include animals, bird baths, fountains, pots and planters, pagodas, garden gnomes, stands, statues, tables and benches.

But cement work is only one facet of the long-time business.

The site contains a garden center and thousands of collectibles, gift items and home decorations.

“We have knickknacks that weigh an ounce up to Madonnas that weight 300 pounds,” said co-owner Stacy Lombard, a retired nurse and nursing teacher.

Lombard and her son, Craig, took over the business in 2003.

Stacy Lombard’s aunt and uncle, Marcella and John Kurpila, created Marcel’s in 1953 as a spin off to a restaurant they opened next door.

“My uncle was a truck driver, so they opened up a truck stop restaurant,” Stacy Lombard said. “My aunt never had any children and she wasn’t like a cook or anything. My uncle cooked. She was a waitress and she didn’t like that.

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