Varden Crossing Country Gift Store

Varden Crossing is a country gift store located in the beautiful Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvaina. As you walk up to the front porch and in through the front door you take a step back in time. There are thick wood counters, time worn hardwood floors, tall, thin, old fashion windows, penny cent candies, and a huge old fashion cash register, that I can't help but think is the store's original register.

The store is owned by Glenn & Carmela Carman, who keep things running beautifully with the help of Katy the store dog. Katy gleefully greets you at the door as you come in. Walmart has there store greeters, and Varden Crossing has Katy. I personally think Katy is a much more personable greeter then those who work at Walmart. :)

There is a little bit of everything at Varden Crossing including  one of a kind gift items, lovely jewelry, hand made crafts, country and primitive fabrics, greeting cards & children's toys, all are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

There are are three floors in all in the store. The main floor, and two staircase that leads up to two other floors, where you can find many more treasures and gifts, which range from vintage and antique merchandise, gently used baby clothes, hand-painted items, wood-crafts, knitted, crocheted & quilted apparel, and of course all my goodies from The Pip Berry Tree!

There is a long history to Varden Crossing. I snatched it here from The store's web site:

"Varden Crossing general store is housed in an original general store built in 1885 by brothers W.R & M.S. Shaffer. It was a full mercantile carrying items such as groceries, medicines, glassware, clothing and stovepipes. At that time the town was called Millville and since there were two other Millville's in Pennslyvania, W.R. (William) renamed the town Varden. It is believed that William named the area after Dolly Varden, the locksmith's daughter in Charles Dickens' Barnaby Rudge. W.R. was the postmaster of Varden and the store was also the site of the post office. Later, the first office of the South Canaan Telephone company was also housed in the building. The store was run by the family until 1950, when the family ceased operations.

The store remained empty until 1994 when Tim & Debi Downs purchased the property and opened Down's Country Corners. They ran the store until 2003 when the store closed again.

Glenn & Carmela Carman purchased the property in December 2007 and opened the doors to Varden Crossing on July 2, 2009."

Carmela is a terrific woman who has her eye on all things country, and her store is quite the testimony to that.

I have the privilege to sell my products there, and to gain exposure for my e store. I also have the privilege to see Katy every time I go to restock items. A visit with her is truly a treat  because her furry face is so sweet, and sparkling personality lighting up the day.

If you have the time, and love all things country, and happen to be in Lake Ariel, PA please stop in and say howdy to Carmela and Katy, and tell them Dawn from The Pip Berry Tree sent you. If your not local please check out her store on line at: www.vardengstore.com