Treasure Trove

A young Sarah Kellenberger Harpham and her family would occasionally make the trip from their Chillicothe home to Helen Winnemore Craft, a brick shop tucked on a corner in German Village. "It was a place for very special gifts," Harpham says. "For as long as I can remember, having a Helen Winnemore box under the Christmas tree or for your birthday was a very special thing." What started as "The Afternoon Shop" out of Helen Winnemore's home in 1938 is next year celebrating its 75th anniversary. And Harpham, now 43, is marking 15 years as proprietor, following only two previous owners-Winnemore herself and Jack Barrow, who spent nearly half his life working there. Along with a variety of gift items from North American artisans, shoppers come for the jewelry, which is tucked among 40 drawers built specially for the store. Plus, the shop continues to serve tea and coffee, just as Winnemore did. "Jack and Helen's ashes are even under the magnolia tree outside," Harpham says. "It's reflective of what we do here-connecting people in a more meaningful way."

Visit the store at 150 E. Kossuth St., German Village, or online at HelenWinnemores.com.