Shanksville shop owner likes being close to family
Shanksville — September 2005 was a special month for Shanksville resident Robin Duppstadt.
After years as an independent consultant for the Longaberger Basket Factory in Ohio, the Gaithersburg, Md., native took a leap of faith and went into business for herself, opening Creekside Country Store.
The gift shop on John Street in Shanksville was the fulfillment of a dream.
“I’ve always wanted my own gift shop,” said Duppstadt, who has an accounting degree from the University of Maryland.
“Instead of me going to sell my goods, I wanted a place where people could come to me and buy what I had to offer,” she said.
Though she is competing with similar shops in the area, Creekside is the only gift shop in Shanksville. The challenge is finding a strategy to lure visitors to the tiny borough.
“People aren’t going to come this far unless I have something really unique to offer,” Duppstadt said. “I’m trying.”
The shop offers local crafts not found everywhere, and popular “Swan Creek” soy candles.
