The Stillroom

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…if you’re like eight. No, I kid. It’s time for
shop windows and houses to glow, santa and snow. I enjoy this time of year because I like to watch the count down to Christmas that Hallmark channel or something. I have become addicted to these movies after I close the shop for the weekend. I finally got to watch Nanny McPhee and I loved it.
Anyhow, it’s Light Up Night in Saxonburg this Friday night and it looks like the weather
is going to take just enough of a dive to make you know your alive! Shops will be open,
Santa is at the Library, Mrs. Claus is taking reservation for tea at The Fresh Cup for
the afternoon and The Stillroom will be quietly open. It’s always a toss up as to
be open or not. The shop is so small that it’s not really a comfortable place to be in
during an event like this but we will do our best to accomodate. If you’re around, stop
in, if not, we are open Tuesday through Friday from 10-6 and Saturday 10-2 and
I’ll be here Christmas Eve until 2! See you around and Happy Thanksgiving too!

Halloween is always fun for our little street. Over the years as communities have come together for the annual parade, nothing beats having kids come to your door for candy. On our street, (which in this neck of the woods is a rather
main thoroughfare for trucks delivering to the local very small chain grocer and alot of high school kids driving usually over the speed limit) we have some great parents who
organize a little walkabout before dark. It was a perfect night. It always is. Weather the leaves are shiny and damp and slippery layers with winds whipping or as it was this past week, a very seasonal evening. Just cold enough but dry with threatening dark skies as daylight waned. This year, I fixed twenty treat bags and started to worry if I was going to have to hand out strands of dental floss but we made it! That tells me next year to prepare more bags. I can’t think of anything worse that having to be the lame house /shop that ran out of candy and had to turn the porch lights off and hide in
a box in the attic. You know, like the balloon kid.

The coolest costume was the last kid who had on the mask from “Scream” and as he walked away, he stopped and quietly turned his head back towards us (I guess he had a
button that he could push or something) and made fake blood stream down his mask.
He was about ten. It was great.

I celebrated All Souls Day. It is always such a thoughtful day. I actually celebrate it
everyday. I never forget people who I have loved and are gone. I really feel their
spirits in my everyday life.

Now here we are trying not to decorate for Christmas too soon as we watch the last
of the leaves drop along with the weather channel because we KNOW we don’t want to be
out there in subzero temperatures pissing around with lights. And with the shop, I have
to be really careful not to scrub out Thanksgiving. It’s still autumn and it’s autumn
until what, like December or something? I LOVE Thanksgiving and everything that goes
along with it including the delicate balance of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On that note let me say this as a mom and pop shopkeep. Buying trends have changed
in the last year and a half. Dollar General, which is about 500 yards from my shop, is my sort of enemy but not really. I believe they are what the kids would call, my frienemey. They have forced me to shift alot of what I do for the holiday season. Especially knickknacky things and ornaments and seasonal goods. I suppose in the end that’s not a bad thing because weather you come into The Stillroom
on State Street, or The Stillroom Annex at the back of The Fresh Cup Cafe on Main
Street, you will find extra special things that are local, high quality and super neat.

Also, I hear occasionally that when people come to our town, they complain that
there is nothing here. That can’t be. We, the shop owners, while not
great in number, (there are seven) are here and our town has history, architecture, beautiful bed and breakfast establishments (three on Main Street) places to dine (there
are five) and we are all different from each other which is great because then you
have choices! Seriously.

Now, on that note, I have to go untangle Christmas Lights and blow the dust off of
both Thanksgiving decorations.

Today, check out the Halloween Car Cruise on Main Street from 3-8.
Most shops will be open for business.
The other biggie is the German Buffet at St. Lukes at the corner of
Main and State Street from 3-7. Fun stuff, great food, great little town!
Go to www.historicsaxonburg.com for information on fall and winter
gatherings! Or, www.stillroomgifts.com for our gift and tea shop info.

tri fec ta – noun

a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish.

We have achieved what I call  The Saxonburg Trifecta…three business owners complimenting the other, all under one roof!

The beautifully restored MainStay Bed & Breakfast boasts beautifully appointed rooms in our historic village.  Relax in the little wooded courtyard at the back of the B & B or meet friends inside of the Fresh Cup Cafe and indulge in freshly made to order coffee, tea and lattes and baked goods in this contemporary little cafe.  At the back of The Fresh Cup Cafe, you will find The Stillroom Annex Gift Shop.  Browse our little corner of the world for a variety of just cool things!  The Annex carries culinary herbs and fragrant spices and perfume oils and touches of giftware that you will just love!  This little room also has beautiful locally made quilts by the newly formed Two Sisters and if you enjoy browsing collectibles, you must come and see Laurette’s display of little pieces that range from the elegant to the whimsical.

The Stillroom Annex will start up regular hours Wednesday, September 30th.  Our regular attended shopping hours will be Wednesday through Saturday from 11-3.  So, if you are looking for a get away that is not far away but far enough away that you can be transported back to when life was quiet, non rushed and relaxing, you really must consider a MainStay.

When you come into our little village, we are happy to guide you around to all of the fun things to do in our area.  We have another shop opening on Main Street which is exciting for the whole village.  So, there is The Stillroom main shop at 111 State Street which maintains regular weekly hours of Tuesday through Friday from 10-4 and Saturday’s 10-2.  In addition to our annex in The Fresh Cup Cafe, we have The Chandlery Gift Shoppe, C. Matus Company shop, The Second Time Around better used clothing shop, The Gray Wolf Art & Gift Gallery, and A Couple Doors Down Christmas shop will be opening October 13th.  We have six dining establishments all within walking distance in the village and they all specialize in something wonderful.  Here’s my list of faves as a local,  The Fresh Cup Cafe has great coffee, quiche and scones.  The Cafe Contrary has the best fried mushrooms anywhere and has a creative dinner menu,  Zacherel’s Tavern has great fish sandwiches and beer and The Hotel Saxonburg (a very cool and super old building)  has the best spaghets and gorgonzola salad, Novotny’s Pizza has the best white pizza, and Kelly’s has old school country ambiance and has been serving town regulars for ever.

If you run out of places to browse right here in the village, we will direct you to a few antique stores on the outskirts and if you are seeking out fall adventure, we are close to rails to trails, Moraine State Park and Todd Sanctuary as well as Glade Mills for fishing or meditation!

Find your way here and we will help you find your way around the area.

For updated calendar of events go to www.historicsaxonburg.com and you can see everything that is fun to do this coming fall!

What’s new in town, you ask?  The Stillroom Annex is a cute little shop that is located in the back of  The Fresh Cup Cafe.   

If you need a special spice for cooking (we carry fair trade, organic and great prices) or a quick gift to give and don’t have the time to run to a big store, stop in at The Stillroom Annex located in the back of The Fresh Cup Cafe on Main Street. 

So, in a pinch for chipotle, need a vanilla bean? If you need housewarming gift or just need a minute to relax , stop into The Fresh Cup Cafe and  look for the shop in the back that is out of the way! The Stillroom Annex hours
are Wednesday – Saturday 11-3.

Our 111 State Street Shop is still open the same days and time as we have been for the past eight years now.  Tuesday through Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2.

You know,when Laura first opened The Fresh Cup Cafe, it was quite lovely with white table cloths and pastel colored walls with waiters and waitresses on hand to take orders.

Then one day there was a write up in the local news paper that reviews food and then writes about it.  The review was super! 

Well, of course when a new place opens and then gets a write up in the paper, they are then swarmed many days in a row with unbelievable amounts of people who want to come in and try everything out. This can be a “double edged sword.”

Well, here we are a little over one year later and The Fresh Cup Cafe has done some morphing!  Now when you walk through the door you are greeted with beautiful Tuscon colors on the walls with subdued lighting and great music in the background.   The most important change that took place was adding really great espresso machines! 

The menu has been tightened  up with the best quiche choices.  This little cafe makes the most delicious quiche I have ever had along with a  nice tender spring green salad with a touch of cucumber &  feta if you like with  a choice of light and airy vinagrette dressings.  I opted for the honey mustard vinagrette that has just the right amount of kick.  This was accompanied by a couple of Italian sodas which tasted like sunshine!

The one thing that is different also is that now, instead of waiters and waitresses tripping over each other, you order your food at the counter and pick it up when it’s ready.  If Nathan, Laura or Steph aren’t super busy, they will bring your lunch out.  This is a change that some folks don’t care for though most patrons really don’t mind not being served.  There are two types in my book, those who want to be served, and the more casual easygoing customer who really is not put out by walking five feet to get a lovely plate of heaven!  They also have a little area where you pick up your silver, napkins and a place to fix your coffee or tea just the way you like it.  A very efficient set up!

My husband Mike, had the chicken salad on a large croissant and it was very substantial  and filling for a man sized appetite!  For dessert we shared a giant chocolate chip cookie that I swore had a hint of ginger but Nathan said “oh no it didint”.  (he didn’t really say that). It was big enough to satisfy our sweet tooth before we head back to our afternoon grind.  Did someone say “grind?”  Well, after this mid day respite, the grind seemed less so.

So, if you have not experienced The Fresh Cup Cafe lately, you really need to make the time to come and enjoy the extended hours and the casual atmosphere and the really great food and the excellent coffee!

Visit The Stillroom Annex Gift Shop at the back of The Fresh Cup Cafe.  Now open Wednesday through Saturday from 11-3.

It had been brought to my attention that my usual happy and upbeat posts took a downward turn last week.  o.k.  Pollyanna temporarily left the building and now she’s back.  (Thanks @bfbcping).  I just needed a reality check.

In spite of a very quiet August, I shall commit to remaining upbeat, positive and I will go to sleep counting my blessings.  I will continue moving forward with my plans to open The Stillroom Spice & Scent Shop at The Fresh Cup Cafe for September 1st.  The new shop, in addition to the herbs, spices and scents will also feature local quilt makers Rose and Patty’s beautiful, beautiful handmade quilts and accesories as well as small antique and collectible pieces from the lovely and funny Laurette.  The plans should tighten up in the next few days…just one more place for Saxonburger’s and out of towners to visit.   The signs  will be in place within The Fresh Cup Cafe in the next week to signify that we are ready to get down to the business of doing business!

Where have all the shoppers gone?   This is the worst August in eight years but I keep hanging in there.  I could be spending time doing something more worthwhile than trying to add to the charm of a little historic town in the middle of pretty much nowhere.  Whoosh…this is really testing my endurance as a “mom & pop shop!”  I could be…visiting my parents more often, hanging out with friends I haven’t seen in months and months, I could be brainlessly sifting through the sands of Cape May Point looking for fossils, I could be volunteering time at the local animal shelter and walking my chihuahua way more than I do. I could be doing alot of other things while I am still relatively middle aged and healthy.  Maybe I am similar to Billy Mumphrey in the Seinfeld episode where Billy is described by Kramer as having “unbridled enthusiasm” and being a  ”cock-eyed optimist.”  This is totally testing my enthusiam and my optimism!  I will now go and chill with an iced cold herbal strawberry pomegranate tea, which is a new flavor from Stash…a shameless plug for my tiny tea shop in Historic Saxonburg, PA.

The Stillroom Annex is a specialty shop that is located in The Fresh Cup Cafe on Main Street in Historic Saxonburg.  The Stillroom Annex features whole nutmeg, vanilla beans, green cardamom pods, crystalized ginger, chipotle powder  just to name a few…all in time for your fall and holiday baking!  Recipe cards for each of the spices are available so that you know just how to use and incorporate these fragrant spices and herbs into your everyday baking and cooking. 

We carry and extensive selection of perfume oils, burners, and scent sticks manufactured by a small family owned business out of Texas.  These are affordable ways to scent your home, dorm room, kitchen, bath or any small space that needs a pop of fragrance.

The Stillroom Annex will have the usual touches of giftware that you are used to seeing in our State Street Shop.  We have beautiful hand made quilts from the newly formed Two Sisters who are excellent local quilters, decorative hand made tin star lamps, locally made Fernwold European Reproductions, hand made scarves from Honduras, whimsical tins of peppermints that make a cute little gift that come from Brooklyn are a must see! 

The Stillroom at 111 State  Street is still the main shop is maintaining the same hours… still Tuesday through Friday from 10-4 and Saturday from 10-2…oh, and by the way, we have some wicked sales going on at the State Street shop, you might want to get someChristmas shopping out of the way!

The Stillroom Annex at the back of The Fresh Cup Cafe is now open for business.
The hours at the moment are Wednesday through Saturday from 11-3. We will try
and extend those hours for the holiday season. For no particular reason, I don’t do “grand openings”.  For me, it’s all about quiet and gentle in an otherwise loud and pushy world. 

In the meantime, visit the new look and feel  at The Fresh Cup Cafe…it’s a great place to fuel up for the day with a latte, double shot, skim milk with a half squirt of raspberry flavor in a relaxed atmosphere and go ahead and take a peak at The Stillroom Annex located in the back of the cafe!  Just follow the pointing fingers inside the cafe.