JOHNSTOWN —
The country has come to Morrellville.
Chiodo’s Country Woodworks, located in the former Victory Bar at 140 Strayer St., opened at the beginning of February.
The owner, Ralph Chiodo, handcrafts furniture ranging from chairs to end tables while his wife, Shirlene, uses her talents to decorate items he makes with fabric and makes wreaths from fabric.
“We’re getting a lot of orders,” Ralph Chiodo said, adding that in addition to merchandise that is on the floor for sale, he will make items requested by customers.
“People are ordering quilt racks, corner shelves and timeout chairs,” he said.
Timeout chairs, originally designed for children who misbehave to sit down for a few minutes to calm down, are popular, he said.
Chiodo said he makes the chairs in different sizes while his wife paints them.
Another popular item is the window shutter, he said.
For every holiday, the Chiodos will offer wooden gifts celebrating the holiday.
“We love it,” Chiodo said about operating the business.
He said he has handcrafted items for many years for family and friends.
“We have six children, and they pushed me in this direction,” he said.
“They said with the items that I have made, I ought to open a store.”
Chiodo, who works part-time as bus driver for CamTran, said years ago, many mom and pop business existed in Morrellville. By opening the store, he feels he is doing something to help bring back those days.
Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
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