Jul 11, 2009

Cedar Springs couple plan store with Amish-crafted goodsBy Susie FairMLive.com

Cedar Springs, Michigan — While some people think it might not be a good idea to open a business during a recession, Bob and Betty Truesdale believe they can make a go of it — for a third time.

The Rockford couple received approval Thursday to build a 1,963-square-foot retail establishment and 2,233-square-foot dwelling on a vacant lot at 141 S. Main St.

Betty Truesdale said a trip to Lancaster County, Pa., long ago sparked her love of Amish-crafted goods, and that will be the store’s specialty, particularly hand-crafted furniture which she and her husband started selling out of a Courtland Township barn in 1992.

Within seven years, they outgrew that site, and they moved their Hay Loft store to the Cedar Rock strip mall in Algoma Township. That operated — with sales in excess of $700,000 annually — until December 2007.

“We thought we really wanted to retire — and probably should at our age, but we miss the people,” said Betty Truesdale, 73,

The Truesdales’ plans call for a 40-by-50-foot Amish furniture and gift store on the corner of Main and Church streets. Their future home will go up directly behind it.

While construction costs are still being hammered out, the couple said they are sure ground will be broken within a month, so the store will be ready for holiday shoppers in November or December.

The store will offer oak, cherry, hickory and maple furniture made by the Amish of Holmes County, Ohio, in addition to home furnishings and decorating items including lamps, figurines, candles, Heritage Lace doilies, table runners and curtains.

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