Golden Acorn offers unique gifts in historic setting

BELLEVUE – When Liz Kile was looking to move her business from Milan to her hometown of Bellevue, she knew she found the perfect place in an early 1900s former grocery store.

The two-story brick building at 106. S. West St. has a mosaic tile floor, ornate plaster ceiling, and some of the windows still have painted advertisements promoting quality foods and fruits and vegetables.

"I loved the building," Kile said.

It also had the same setup as her Milan store, allowing her to easily set up her displays. Kile owns the Golden Acorn, and the store's selection is as unique as the building that houses it.

Although the Golden Acorn doesn't sell food, it has an eclectic mix of books, gifts, cards, household items, toys and more. Customers who need a gift for someone of any age or want to find something special for themselves or their homes will likely find it at the store, said Kile and employee Jane Pickering.

The Golden Acorn has been in business for 26 years — 20 in Milan and the past six in Bellevue. Kile chose the name in part because her father ran a shooting park in Lyme Township near Bellevue for years called Fenwood.

"The business logo had a little oak leaf," Kile said. "I figured I was a little sprout."

That gave her the acorn part of the name, and she decided to make it golden to add some flair.

When she decided to move her business back to her hometown, her longtime customers followed. Kile and Pickering remember their customers, and their favorite part of the shop is talking with the people who stop in.

"There are not a lot of places where you can go in and the owner knows your name," Pickering said.

Kile started out selling small antiques, and then she got into books about antiques. After that, she moved onto regular books and cards, and the Golden Acorn's stock eventually became what it is today.

The store has a large and colorful selection of intricate pop-up books for children, regular children's books and books for adults, including cookbooks. There are cards for every holiday with fun and unusual themes.

Every holiday, it has a selection of fitting decorations. A tree full of bird ornaments, Valentine heart ornaments and fishing ornaments was recently set up in the shop. The Easter and spring items will soon be arriving.

"We sell a lot of birds," Pickering said. "Most are recognizable as backyard birds. We sell a lot of cardinals."

In the children's section, Bunnies by the Bay stuffed animals and items and Jelly Cat baby supplies are good sellers. The old-fashioned wind-up toys find favor with children and adults. There is also a section of art supplies, including colored pencils, for kids.

"We have a lot for small children," Kile said.

In the housewares section, they sell bubble-glass tumblers and vases, cake stands, dish towels and silicone lid covers.

The store also sells sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, handmade glass jewelry, frames and mugs with quotes and more. Paper crowns made in Europe are a lighthearted gift for a special occasion.

Pickering was a merchandise sales representative when she met Kile on sales calls at the store.

"Of all the shops I called on in Northwest Ohio, she had the best cards," Pickering said.

Pickering was working at Borders in the Sandusky Mall when the chain went out of business. Kile called her and offered her a job at the shop.

Pickering said she loves working at the shop and selling its unusual merchandise.

"You can always speak enthusiastically about it," she said.

Whitney Smith, of Monroeville, recently stopped in the shop for the first time after hearing good things about it.

"They've got a lot of cute stuff," she said.

mksmith@gannett.com

419-334-1044

Twitter: @kristinasmithNM

Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn is located at 106. S. West St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The shop is part of Shop Bellevue, Ohio, a group that promotes business in the city.

For information, call 419-483-0363 or visit www.facebook.com/GoldenAcornOhio?ref=br_rs.