“We love having our business (Christmas Peddler House) in historic Waynesville, on an ‘Americana’ Main Street full of small businesses,” said Deborah (Debbie) Tritschler. “People like the charm of the historic buildings. Waynesville is a day out … shopping, dining, browsing that many get excited about to just spend the day.”
Debbie has always loved Christmas. “I got my ‘love’ of the holiday from my mom. She loves to decorate, and always made Christmas magical for our family. Now, I get to observe how Christmas is special to lots of customers and how they love to decorate and enjoy the family traditions. The best of both worlds!”
Debbie began the Peddler House in November 2003. Her husband, Ed, a retired marketing AT&T representative, is supportive in whatever is needed.
Debbie received her on the job training for 21 years at a retail establishment called Bellfair Country Stores in Beavercreek, Ohio where there was a year-round Christmas shop.
”My memories of Christmas had much to do with family,” said Debbie. “We lived in a small college town in north central Ohio, Wooster, where there were many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Celebrating Christmas was probably pretty-typical with cousins running around, the ladies getting Christmas dinner ready, and the men talking and joking. Visiting Santa in the Wooster ‘city square’ was a highlight of the season … all the stores decorated, and lights shining in town.”
Deborah’s mom always decorated but not extensive. ”But, for a kid, all of it was magical. One thing I looked forward to was each year I would get a new Christmas coloring book and crayons to keep me busy during the holidays.”
As years progressed Debbie and Ed looked around Waynesville for a place to open a business that ‘felt right’ and had that welcoming atmosphere. “I had always loved Waynesville and visiting there,” she said.
“My mom lives close by me,” said Debbie. “She is in her 80s, and still decorates like crazy for Christmas! Mom gets to come to work with me usually one day a week, and she had worked retail her whole life, and is great to have at the shop, working with customers.
“I think that Waynesville is attractive to visitors-there is such a ‘varied’ mix of shops. It is a walkable town with great places to relax and have a meal or snack.”
Dawn Schroeder, executive director Waynesville Chamber of Commerce, said, “Friday and Saturday evening will have 1,300 luminaries (Mike Morley of Village Family Restaurant, and his crew put luminaries together) starting Friday at 6 pm. The remainder of the weekend we will have strolling costume characters, barbershop quartets, carriage rides and other entertainment.”
Peddler House, an eclectic gift/home decor shop, has a year-round room of Christmas finery, plus a large selection of Old World hand-blown ornaments, Fontanini nativities and figures, specialty ornaments such as baby’s first, wedding, sports, and theme ornaments, Pipka and Russian Santas, and Ne Qwa reverse-painted ornaments.
Peddler House regular hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Closed Monday. Christmas in the Village Weekend: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
How to go
What: Christmas in the Village of Waynesville
Where: Downtown Waynesville, off Ohio 42 and Ohio 73
When: Friday, Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m., businesses open 11 a.m.; Saturday, Dec 3, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4, noon-5 p.m., Entertainment tent 1-4 p.m. Richard Lynch, Nashville recording artist.
Cost: Free Pick up free holiday passport. When shopping and dining have them stamp passport for chance to win one of five $100 or other prizes.
Also: Santa and Mrs. Claus at Mercantile, 274 S. Main St., Friday, Dec 2, 6:15-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4 pm.
More info: www.waynesvilleohio.com or call (513) 897-8855
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