Candles are the hot item of choice at a recently-opened business in Ava.
A Shop Around The Corner is located at 224 S. Jefferson, just south of the Ava Square.
According to Lisa Ritter and her sister, who own the business, their quickest selling item is the Candleberry Hot Maple Toddy candle.
“People come in specifically for that candle,” said Ritter. “It sells like crazy.
“We have to re-order it every week.”
This cabinet holds a display of lively table linens and tableware, much of it in the rustic French country theme.
The business was started when Lisa, who also runs L & B Sign Creations out of the storefront, was thinking of ways to use the extra space in the building.
“I was talking to the woman who used to own Crossroads in Mansfield, and she was getting some ‘closeout’ signs,” Ritter said. “We started talking, and ended up buying her inventory.”
In addition to the popular candle line, the shop has tableware and linens, wall hangings, clocks, gifts, and fashion purses.
The purses include animal prints, crosses and camouflage.
Décor ranges from French country to rustic, from western to contemporary.
There are several items appropriate for wedding or baby gifts, along with birthday gifts.
“There are many items to make your home look beautiful,” Ritter said.
There are also lines of fashion reading glasses, greeting cards and items to decorate rooms, including those for children.
The shop also carries a line of all-natural, eco-friendly beauty products called Secret Garden Scents by Douglas County resident Heather M. Elijah.
The store is currently running a 40 percent off Christmas clearance through the end of this week. Christmas items included ornaments, figurines, CDs and dishes.
A child's bedroom is one of the featured displays at A Shop Around The Corner, located directly south of the Ava Square.
A Shop Around The Corner is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The business can be reached at 417-683-5472 or on Facebook.
Reflections is a weekly column exploring Douglas County. This month’s series of articles will highlight the four newest businesses in Ava.
