Business notebook: Country Life opens on Main Street

Warwick - This past week, the Warwick Merchants Guild celebrated its 10th annual “Ladies Night Out.” And Country Life, a new business at 40 Main St., the former home of Port of Call, scheduled its first opening to coincide with that popular event. As usual, prime space in the Village of Warwick doesn’t remain vacant for long and shortly after Port of Call closed, a sign in the window announced the coming of “The Country Life.” The owners of The Country Life are Warwick residents Ken and Debbie Kroslak and their store is bound to be a major attraction for local shoppers as well as visitors. “This is a country store and it’s just like coming into our home,” said Debbie Kroslak, who has 18 years experience in retail business and actually worked for a time at Port of Call. Country Life is modeled on a typical New England-style country store that carries quilts, braided rugs, specialty foods, accessories, gift items and so forth in addition to country furniture. It’s the type of store that people enjoy visiting when they travel on vacation. “This is more of a country store that also features rustic style furniture,” explained Ken Kroslak, who brings 24 years of retail marketing and promotion experience to the business. Country Life specializes in comfortable barn-wood, upholstered, country accent and Adirondack furniture. The showroom also displays a large collection of Boyd’s Bears, Christmas items and Bennington stoneware pottery. The owners point out that all of the furniture in he Country Life is made by American craftsman. “We have a furniture manufacturer from Massachusetts that makes all kinds of beautiful pieces out of authentic barn-wood boards from retired barns across the country,” said Kroslak. “We could have brought in lines of furniture made in China and sold them for lower prices, but we chose to focus on and support our fine American Furniture manufacturers right here.” As an added attraction, Elizabeth Giza, owner of the former Enchanted Elizabeth’s in Sugar Loaf, has come on board as a sales associate. The Country Life will feature her popular merchandise including hand poured soy candles and hand crafted wreaths. “When one of our customers recently visited the store,” said Debbie Kroslak, “she remarked, ‘I feel like I’m in someone’s home.” The Country Life will also continue to open the upstairs art gallery to the public and the owners’ plan to feature original artworks that will compliment their country style products. Kroslak explained that when she and her husband, Ken, moved here from Bergen County, New Jersey, they were looking for a “country” lifestyle and thoughtfully decorated their own home to reflect that style. “We loved decorating our home and it’s exciting to have a store that reflects our ideas,” she said. Kroslak also added that for years she and her husband had been coming to Warwick as shoppers and loved the Village. “When we moved here,” she said, “our goal was to be part of this community and we immediately joined the Historical Society.” Ken and Debbie Kroslak also purchased a nearby building at 18 Main Street, which they plan to renovate. “We purchased that building,” said Ken Kroslak, “because we are committed to the downtown business district and we are confident in its future viability.” Power wash Ed Dunn, owner of Dun-Rite Power Washing and Painting of Warwick, says, “The name says it all.” He explained that anyone can power wash, paint or stain, but there are a lot of bad jobs. “There are some, “ he said, “where decks are not cleaned well and then stained unevenly or are badly damaged due to power washing too close. In the end, it sometimes costs the owners more to repair damages than hiring a professional in the first place.” A retired police officer, Dunn started his power washing and painting business four years ago while living upstate with his wife Jennifer and their children. With most of the work coming from Orange County, the family decided to move to Warwick. During colder months, Dunn and his employees move inside and do more painting contracts. Dunn also likes to spend his downtime with his wife and two sons and volunteers to assist in coaching the Warwick Youth Wrestling team, where his son Nicholas, 8, participates. “The best results come from using the right equipment and products to help aid the cleaning process.” Said Dunn. “Homeowners do not need to get hurt with unfamiliar equipment, cleaning solutions, or by getting up on their roofs to clean out their gutters. That is what we are experienced and insured to do. The Warwick area has been good to my family and I meet great people every day.” If your home or business needs some brightening with water, stain or paint, Ed Dunn suggests you call Dun-Rite Power Washing and Painting at 988-1722 for an estimate. Anniversary Frazzleberries gift shop, 24 Main St., Warwick, recently had a face-lift and on Saturday, August 11, owner Mary Beth Schlichting showed off the renovations by hosting an open house in celebration of the store’s 11th anniversary. Frazzleberries first opened on Railroad Avenue and, several years later moved to its present location. It’s become one of the most successful and popular shops along Main St. In honor of the occasion Frazzleberries offered an 11 per cent discount on merchandise sold that day and treated visitors to “Lisa’s Cookies,” cheese tarts from La Petite Cuisine, and other refreshments. The store also sponsored a free raffle for a $150 gift basket. For additional information call 988-5080 or visit: www.frazzleberries.com Good news New York State’s School Tax Relief (STAR) Program will begin mailing checks on Sept. 3. Basic STAR is available to anyone who owns and lives in his or her own home. Enhanced STAR is available to senior homeowners whose incomes do not exceed the statewide standard. Information about the program can be found online at http://www.nystax.gov/star/2007.