The Stillroom

It is that time of year here in Saxonburg, where the village starts to prepare for our Main Street Blooms competition.  It is a fun and friendly competition between businesses and property owners to start planting the seeds that bring forth an abundance of color and that summer feeling to our town.    Soon carnival week will be in full swing along with the pet parade that now draws huge crowds!  Watch for our blog, Main Street Bulletin Boards and posters that will pop up announcing the Blooms and Bubbles children’s flower planting event. The date will be announced soon. 

We are also looking forward to the opening of The Fresh Cup cafe on Main Street.  Located in the former Antique Coffee Shop, Laura is taking on the exciting task of adding one more wonderful place to visit when you come into town.  The Stillroom will keep you updated on her progress!  The shops are in the process of getting ready (dare I say) with ordering for the upcoming holiday season and look forward to your visits throughout the summer with the many activities that take place during the summer months.  From the old school car cruises, the firehall events, the library events, Penn’s Colony, Main Street Blooms and the museum at the park, this is truly Americana. Don’t forget to download our shopping guide which will be udated with even more places to visit in our area.  That would be Laurie Lynn’s Antique and Spice shop which I am ashamed to admit, I forgot she was there and has been for quite some time now, and Wilma’s famous chocolate shop across the street for L. Lynn’s.   We also look forward to the reopening of The Red Squirrell (it’s a call first kind of place) and well worth the phone call to see this quaint shop. Hopefully Isabella’s Reflection will be back in the game soon as well,maybe Sherry will consider coming out of retirement…after all…she is one of the original antique shopkeeps! 

still-room: A dry, warm room filled with the aroma of herbs and spices. Sunlight was detrimental to the fragrant herbs and spices, therefore, it was not bright with sunlight, but rather, dim and cozy. A most pleasant place to visit.

Yes, you can spend a day in and around Saxonburg…you just have to know where to go.  From the shops on Main Street to the little treasures that are nestled on the outskirts…you can spend a day in Saxonburg.  Just because there are no longer any antique shops on Main Street ( and I think that is only temporary), does not mean that there are no antiques to be had.  While we transition into Spring and the turbulent weather that comes with it, the yard sales will be popping up soon and The Stillroom knows where to send you to hunt for treasures from various vendors throughout the area. 

In the meantime, what is new at The Stillroom?  You just have to do a pop in and see.  When the spirit moves you and you feel like you need some down time, come on in a sip a cup of any of our over 50 flavors of terriffic tea or our coffee of the week. Browse the tea cube to see what’s new or peruse the gifts that are here for your pleasure.  Whether buying or browsing, you are always welcome to spend some time in our little part of the world!

“This has to be the coolest little shop in town”.  Someone recently asked me what the highlight of my shop was.  At first I thought, tea, porcelain nightlights, hand lotion, jewelry, purses..my mind started to go all over the board!

I could not narrow it down to one or two or three or four things.  The highlight of The Stillroom is The Stillroom itself.  A little piece of the world that I love being in and so do the customers that walk through our door. 

 Although the size of the shop is smaller, we not only managed to get everything in here, but we have added a new line of Harney Teas, new Laurel Burch purses, new fragrant perfume oils among other fun things.  I guess you just have to come on in and enjoy!

Wether you are in search of culinary lavender, rose petals by the ounce, fragrant perfume oils, biscotti, vintage candy, great Fair Trade locally roasted coffee beans, gifts for baby, mom, Wedding Teas, Mother’s bouquet tea, I mean the list is endless, you will delight in this tiny part of Saxonburg!

So, the next time you visit our town, remember, we are a stones throw around the corner from Main Street with on-site parking.  Pretty soon the bistro tables will be out front, the fountain will be serenely flowing once again and the flowers will be in bloom.  A perfect spot for a spot of tea!

We’ve compiled a list of shops and attractions in the Saxonburg area and published it in the form of a guide with a map. Click here to download a copy that you can print and bring with you on your trip to Saxonburg.

If I were going to map out a beautiful spring day in Saxonburg, here is what I would do.

 Tuesday through Saturday is best.  Most of the shops are closed Sunday and Monday.    Information for individual shop hours can be had by checking each of the shops websites that will follow.

Ahhh, Saxonburg in the Spring.  Just like everyone else, we are enjoying the buds coming out on the trees, flowers slowing peeking through the soil and the late winter evening snow squalls  that bust through an orange sky.  What a sight it is!

When I inivite my best friend since seventh grade, Pam, to Saxonburg , it is usually anytime between Tuesday through Saturday. 

The first thing we do is have breakfast or lunch depending on  the time.  We are lucky to have so many places to pick from!  Each is distinctive in atmosphere and food. A couple serve breakfast and serve food well into the dinner hour. The Hotel Saxonburg has a great ambience and is housed in a very old building with a bit more of a pricey menu and attracts alot of visitors to town. One is old school farmers and old timers who have been meeting at the counter for ions. The third is just around the corner from Main Street and happens to be one of our faves since moving here seven years ago. Light on the smoke and heavy on homemade desserts, hot homemade potato chips made to order, the best fried mushrooms I’ve ever had and a creative cook as well.  None of the eateries will disappoint! 

Wewould then work off  lunch by visiting the shops. Even though Main Street lost a few antique stores, there are a few family run gift shops that make us worth visiting. It is still a town where you can spend time and enjoy the architecture of the old buildings that takes you back to another time. Just watch your step though, our sidewalks are pretty rugged.  Hopefully, that will change over time with a restoration project!

We would start at The Chandlery gift shop. Paula is the operator of this  gift shop that sells candles, purses, Webkinz, costume jewelry, quilts and Bearington Bears in addition to home accents.  Located at 263 West Main Street, she has lovely seasonal window displays that will draw you in to this quaint shop!

The C. Matus Company houses one on the largest selections of Amish furniture in our area. Located at 260 West Main Street they have children’s toys, art prints and array of home furnishings from large yard lighthouses to spinning tops for kids.  This building will greet you as you drive in from Pittsburgh Street with it’s huge windows filled with beautiful woodwork. It is a building that was saved by the wrecking ball by the Matus family and they turned it into quite a shop that showcases American craftsmanship. It is a great space to walk through. It has the old wooden floors and high ceilings and is filled with wonderful things!  They are also a full service custom wood working shop as well.

Next we would venture next door to Natili’s Jewelry Store to see what’s new in finer jewelry. Located at 280 West Main Street, Ben does beautiful work.  He offers jewelry repair which I can say first hand is excellent!  He repaired one very tedious project for me and I was thrilled with the outcome.  Visit him at his busy little shop and take in all of the beauty that he offers our town.

We would then go next door to Rosie’s shop, Quilter’s De-lights. Located at the corner of Main and State street, you don’t have to go far to shop for the finest in quilting fabrics and sewing notions . This shop offers glorious knitware from socks to purses, all made by local crafters. Even if you are not  a quilter, the shop is filled  fabrics, sewing notions,quilts and is wonderful if you enjoy textiles.  What a great little shop to have in our neighborhood!  Rosie offers classes and does alteration work as well.

If we didn’t have lunch on Main St., behind Rosie’s shop and onto State Street, we could enjoy a fine pizza at Novotny’s. The local pizza place, they serve up the standard hoagies and pizza but with great care and mastery of a pretty good pizza crust! Eat in or carry out.

Next to Novoty’s on State Street, you will find our little shop, The Stillroom Gift & Tea Shop.  Located at 111 State Street, here you will delight in great coffee from La Prima in The Strip at great prices!  We will do the running for you! 

We have exquisite Wedding Tea that we can have customized with the bride and grooms names and wedding date.  Delicate Mother’s Bouquet Tea,  Spring Blooming Art Tea Pods, Truly Chocolate Dessert Tea and so much more!  Sweets ranging from the locally baked La Peri Dolci biscotti to old fashioned candy that you will remember from way back when. Beautiful giftware from Laurel Burch purses and jewelry to some of the best hand lotion that will ever touch your skin!  Our shop is intended to delight the senses. Visually cool, smells great, relaxing music, taste the samplings of coffees and teas and please, handle the kaleidoscopes!

After goofing off here, we would go over to the Gray Wolf Gallery to check out the artwork. Located at 332 West Main Street, they are only one tiny historic block over, near the Agway. This place is visually stunning without the artwork hanging on it’s walls. It is worth going a tiny historic block over from us to check them out. They also offer framing services and are very helpful when it comes to matching up mattes and frames for that special piece of artwork or photograph!

Now, after the disappointment of no more antique stores on Main Street in Saxonburg, (We lost a coffee and antiques shop, in addition to two other antique shops due to retirement) We would jump into the car and drive five minutes away to The Same Desires antiques and stuff store. The short drive over to Cindy’s place is scenic so relax and enjoy the short jaunt. Pack a lunch, this place is huge and the prices are great. Any of the shop owners here in town would know where this store is so just ask for a map, most of us have a map of the town and it’s shops.  When you get there, plan of spending at least a half and hour.  You will be sure to find some trinket or reminder of days gone by. This place is full to the brim and fun to browse around in!

If my friend got snowed in there would be a few very nice places for her to stay. The Mainstay Bed & Breakfast on Main Street has beautifully appointed rooms and the new operators have done a fabulous job in the past year restoring and updating the bones of the old historic building.  Again, saved by the wrecking ball, these folks have invested alot of time in preserving the historic past of Saxonburg and it is a joy to walk by and see new life and possibilities.  We wish them the best!

We also have The Hotel Saxonburg with the newly opened second floor rooms that were restored to their original splendor. The rooms are above the restaurant and may be viewed upon request if the waiters aren’t super busy!  Dine in the evening at the restaurant and go upstairs to retreat.  The building, like our town, is full of history and draws alot of visitors.

Then there is Jenny’s Guest Room which is perfect for a quick overnight visit to town. Housed in one the the historic buildings, this house could have been leveled but the new owner took great care in restoring it . This place is small, cozy and lovely.  It has everytrhing you need for a comfortable stay in Saxonburg,  including a welcoming front porch that looks onto Main Street.  Real cute!

We are also minutes away from The Winfield Winery and Todd Sanctuary Nature Preserve if you would like to enjoy winetasting and a day of hiking the trails. Not necessarily in that order! We also are five minutes away from some of the most scenic bike rails to trails in the country. If your into camping in cute log cabins and sailing, we are twenty minutes give or take from the beautiful Moraine State Park here in Butler County.

We will be greeting a new shop operator on Main Street soon!  Laura is still planning an opening sometime in May for her new adventures in town.  She will be located in the Main Stay B & B building where the old coffee shop used to be.  Great news for all of us, because I believe in the more the merrier!  She will operate it similarly to the old coffee shop but with her own flair of the creative and delicious…we can hardly wait!

So there is no reason to put off a relaxing couple of days in Historic Saxonburg, PA.

That’s all folks! Come and spend a soon to be spring day in the “Burg” …Saxonburg that is!

Well, it took a while to get here but get here it did! This is our first real cold blast of winter air this weekend and I have to say I love it. From the activity of the winter festivals that take place in our mountain communities to the simple hot cup of tea at home with the radio tuned in to, well, whatever your cup of tea is musically. You gotta love our seasons here in southwest Pennsylvania!

We are in the process of recovery after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas past and also with the move to our new permanent location. (Our original digs, actually).

We are collecting new gift ideas for the coming year as the catalogs trickle in. This is the time of year that I reorder all of our standards such as the skin soothing Essence of Heaven lotions that we all need to nourish and protect our skin from the biting cold winds.

Replenishing our teas and coffees and biscotti is a constant chore that we keep on top of in addition to expanding the Harney & Sons tea line, which we are very excited about.

The kaleidoscopes are still a popular toy for just about everyone who comes in and picks it up to play with it.

That aside, it’s that time of year to sit back on these cold weather weekends and watch the daylight hours glow ever so slightly longer, and before we all know it, we will be planting our rye seeds in Easter Baskets so that we will have a nice patch of real Easter grass for the Easter Bunny to leave his eggs in!

If you have never done this, it’s a fun project for younger children (or anyone who enjoys gardening) to get their hands into. Just line the intended basket with plastic and foil, (basket should have sides about three inches high), add soil and rye seeds, (available at most feed stores, in our area try an Agway) and nurture them into a lush, natural lined Easter basket! Easter is early this year so you can start this project around Ash Wednesday. It’s nice for kids to water and watch.

The day is here at last!  We have re-opened in our new location.  Not to worry, it is literally right around the corner from the Main Steet shop.  We are actually back in our original shop location of State Street right next to Novotny’s Pizza.  

Come help us celebrate our 7th year serving Saxonburg and check out the revamped look and feel of The Stillroom.  Warm up you hands, feet and hearts with a cup of Stash Tea, La Prima Coffee, and the local gifts you’ve grown to love.  

Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm. 

If you have any questions please call us:  724-822-0227
                    ~or~
e-mail us: stillroomgifts@gmail.com

The Stillroom is anything but still!  Green means go and that we are in more ways than one.  We are on the move in the new year by returning to our original digs on State Street, still here in Saxonburg!  We are very excited to reopen  very soon with all of our favorite gift items, paring down on some things that were not so hot and with an extended selection of Harney & Sons teas, a terriffic assortment of La Prima Coffee by the pound, whole bean or ground and will also take special orders for you if we don’t have it in stock.  We are concentrating on bringing a wider selection of vintage candies which proved to be very well received this past year, as well as the beginnings of an organic tea section.

Aside from all of that, we are changing the light bulbs throughout our home and office and using low wattage night lights to light our cool little shop.  We are looking at opening up again for the year on January, 14, of 2008. 

 Happy New Year and thank you to all who helped up us stay enthusiastic for the upcoming year. 

How close are you to being ready for Christmas?  If you’re like me you’re not as close as you’d like to be with only one week left.  With all the hustle and bustle to get caught up in this week: the traveling and the food and the preperation and the last minute shopping, we desperately need to take the time and relax…to think…to be thankful…to enjoy…to think of others; and not just what present to get them either, but to really be heart-felt in our everyday encounters with one another. 

You know what my thought is on all those sappy Christmas books, songs, and movies are… people write them and sing them and watch them because they know that we need to be reminded.  Reminded of the fact that there can be a little bit of Ebenezer Scrooge in us all; a pinch of the Grinch in us all.  Why do we save those stories for Christmas when we need to be reminded of that all year.  Not reminded on how lousy we all can be from time-to-time, but how much we all really do have to give to one another.  To quote the genius Dr. Suess, what we really have to give ‘will come without ribbons! It will come without tags! It will come without packages, boxes, or bags!’

Here is my challenge to each of us this Christmas season:  GIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS.  If you do this right it shouldn’t cost you a single cent.  Give gratitude, give respect, give comfort, give a hug.  And with any luck all of our hearts will grow three sizes this Christmas.