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The Tip is 'Where They're Proud' I recently saw an ad in our local newspaper for a big box home improvement store. Their newspaper ad had USA made products and American flags all over it. Several weeks later, I checked the ad again and sure enough they were still advertising their American made products. It was obvious they are proud to carry products Made in America. Their competitors made no mention of things Made in America. I have been to this store and asked what products are made in the USA? A clerk told me they primarily carry imports. Obviously they are not proud. I now realize you can buy many Made in the USA building supplies, including tools Made in USA and appliances Made in USA., in stores that are proud to carry brands Made in the USA. Here is another example of a store proudly carrying products Made in the USA. I was shopping for men's shoes in a local department store when I tried on three different pairs of shoes. I couldn't decide which pair I wanted so I went out on a limb and asked the clerk, "Are these shoes imports?" The salesman said "yes they are" so I asked, "Do you have any Made in America shoes like these?". To my surprise he said, with GREAT PRIDE, "yes sir, we have a whole line of Made In USA shoes". He brought me the same color and style with the Made in USA label. These Made in America shoes were less expensive, came with a better warranty, and were more comfortable. Looking for companies that are PROUD is simple and can have a great impact on our country. I encourage you to try this some time- just ask. You will love it when you realize you are making a difference that all of us will benefit from. With your help America will be ours again and that is a good thing. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Colonial Candle Crafters Colonial Candlecrafters' candle shop was started on top of a family's kitchen stove. Now owned by Patricia and Gregory Hess, the business was the brainchild of Pat's mother and father, Beverly and Howard Bird. We had this tiny kitchen, Pat recalls. One candle mold grew to three molds, three molds grew to five and before long mom and dad moved operations to the basement and were making 100 candles at a time. They arrived at a juncture: either do something with this so-called hobby or quit. In 1971, the Birds purchased property two miles south of Lewisburg on Route 15, the current site of the existing Colonial Candlecrafters shop. They officially opened the store on March 3, 1972 in one long room on the first floor and two years later enlarged the space. This has been my only job. Pat HessPat literally grew up with the business of candle-making. She started working at the shop at 14. After high school, she graduated from Bloomsburg State University and came back to Lewisburg in 1979. She managed the business from 1979 to 1982. In 1982 mom and dad decided to sell the business. Greg and I had been married three years. I said 'Let's either buy it, or move to Florida.' I couldn't stand by and let someone else buy the business I had not only grown up with, but also one I had truly grown to love. Over the years many changes have taken place in the candle-making industry, but one factor has remained the same: At a time when most candle makers have switched to an automated manufacturing process, Colonial Candlecrafters has stayed with its tradition of hand-pouring its candles, despite the lengthy process. We have spent many hours deciphering why certain candles burn differently than others. There are numerous variables which help to develop the way a candle performs. We put everything we have learned over the past 35 years into making our candles, which makes them a very special product. Pat HessCandle making has been part of our family tradition for over a third of a century. We take pride in the fact that all our candles are of the highest quality standards, ensuring great fragrance impacts and long burning times. Our candle makers hand poured about 80,000 pounds of wax last year alone! From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a multifaceted candle business offering candles of many sizes and shapes as well as other candle related products. Catering to guests near and far, Colonial Candlecrafters has grown from a family hobby to a full-time business. Whether you are drawn to color or fragrance in a candle, Colonial Candlecrafters has a variety of both from which to choose. |
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