Christmas Past, Country Again now open in Strasburg
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Strasburg. Christmas Past, Country Again, a specialty shop located on SR 250, has opened for the yuletide season. Owned by Nancy and Todd Taylor, the collection of holiday gifts includes Santa figures, snowmen, throw blankets, candles, and hundreds of other Christmas collectibles.Operating for the past three weekends, Todd Taylor explained that the shop would remain open until every piece of merchandise finds a new home. “These are things from past Christmases that have never been out of their boxes, so here they come again,” he said, of the shop’s name and ultimate theme.
All of the wreaths, trees, and cornucopias displayed are handmade by Nancy Taylor, who never makes the same item twice. Todd Taylor believes that this is what makes the shop special, in that most items are one-of-a-kind and cannot be purchased anywhere else. The shop also offers antique items, as well as real Amish-made pine furniture.
“What we have is really authentic,” Todd Taylor explained. “There are a lot of collectibles in here.”
Prices remain low, and this is perhaps the shop’s best selling point. According to the Taylors, everything is priced to sell at once. And a unique selling strategy comes into play, as each price tag lists three separate prices, all with a different significance. The top price on each tag is the retail price according to what other stores may charge, while the middle price is the current asking price. The Taylors, however, offer the third and lowest price to a customer if they agree to leave the piece, specifically furniture, within the shop until a new display can be made.
“The prices are incredible,” Todd Taylor said. “People are going to be totally amazed.”
He added that this business is not about making money, but about finding a new place for the Christmas collection that has accumulated throughout the years. Many of the items were purchased in the past, and today, are still considered brand new, as they have never been displayed.
Sale hours are currently 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day of the week. Tour buses are welcome and already scheduled throughout the Christmas season. The shop also makes appointments available to those who may not be able to visit during normal store hours. Also, if sales warrant, later hours may be added in the next several weeks.
The Taylors’ passion and enthusiasm for the Christmas season is clearly shown throughout their shop, and they certainly bring Christmas Past, Country Again back to the city of Strasburg.
“So many cars go by here daily, but they need a reason to stop,” Todd Taylor explained. “And hopefully, we are going to be that reason.”
The shop is located at 1201 North Wooster Avenue in Strasburg. Contact the Taylors at 330-265-6671 or 330-265-6788 with questions or appointment requests.