Personalized items, locally produced goods available at Parr’s Treasures

WELLSBURG -- Area residents seeking a unique gift for a friend or family member can try Parr's Treasures at 644 Charles St.

The shop offers a variety of choices, from locally made jewelry and decorations for various seasons and holidays to wooden keychains, T-shirts and tumblers that can be personalized with the names, photos and designs meaningful to those receiving them.

Owner Chelsi Parr said she's always willing to help customers having difficulty with gift ideas.

"I say, just tell me a little about the person, and I can direct them to the right gift," she said, adding, "I've had people who received the gifts come in and say, 'I loved it.' That always makes me happy."

Parr pointed to a table displaying some of the many items to which she can add a child's name, the photo of a family member or pet, or design of significance to the recipient.

"I can personalize T-shirts, ballcaps, keychain fobs, tumblers -- basically, anything," she said, adding most individual custom-made orders can be filled within a week.

Parr added she has handled bulk orders for sports teams and other groups, including matching masks for bailiffs at the Brooke County Courthouse.

Parr's Treasures sells locally produced decorative items for various seasons and holidays, jewelry and other items on consignment for area crafters.

Among them are sparkly epoxied tumblers and keychains made by Mandy Cormier, butterfly-themed jewelry and other items produced by Butterflies from Heather, Avon cosmetics and other products sold by Jen Lerczak, embroidered decorative towels and other items hand-sewn by Norine Lerczak, and children's clothing and hand-made bows, available in various school colors and sold by Theresa "Grammy T" Hervey.

There also are scented candles from Our Candle Co. of New Jersey and a wide selection of farmhouse-style decorations, many of them handcut and painted by Parr.

Parr explained a set of large wooden dice at the shop is used to play a game called Yard Seeds.

"You can play it at barbecues and other outdoor gatherings," she said.

Parr, who sells soft drinks and candy at her store, said she hopes to offer home-made soup, doughnuts and ice cream in the near future.

Parr's Treasures is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday.

A 2012 graduate of Brooke High School, where she took courses in entrepreneurship, Parr opened the store in December after appearing regularly at many area festivals, including Follansbee Community Days and the Wellsburg Applefest.

She previously served in the Brooke County Ambulance Service and as volunteer firefighter with her boyfriend, Eric Woodburn, who co-owns the business.

Located in Wellsburg's downtown business district, the store was once home to Fedderman's clothing store but has been vacant for many years.

Parr was aided in painting, staining and otherwise preparing the interior for its new purpose by Woodburn; her mother, Brenda; father and stepmother, Gary and Jackie; and sister-in-law, Kim Leonard, among others.

She said she's happy to see a few other new businesses opening nearby in recent months and hopes to join them in attracting new visitors to downtown Wellsburg.