In the north end of Wooster, The Greenhouse Shoppe, located on State Route 3, or Cleveland Road, has transformed itself into The Christmas Shoppe. And, they're having a special Christmas Open House Saturday, November 5, from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend! But if you're reading this after the fact, youre not too late. The holiday shop is going to be open right up until Christmas Eve.

Owners Donna and Marty Feliciano specialize in unique ornaments, gifts and special keepsake items for the holidays.

They're anxious to help you find just what you're looking for.

"We find people coming here for that special item ... maybe an ornament for their own tree, or maybe one to give to someone," Donna said.

Soon (after Thanksgiving), fresh, live wreaths, roping (in both cedar and pine) and poinsettias, as well as fresh-cut trees will be available. The roping is available by the yard or in 25-foot rolls, so whether you're decorating a little or a lot, you'll find just what you need.

"We always have a great selection of poinsettias," Donna said. "We have red, white, pink, marble, burgundy and various other varieties.

"And we have a really nice selection of silks, just ready for the do-it-yourselfer to add to their holiday displays. It just takes a little bend here and a little twist there, and soon they'll have a professional-looking arrangement."

The Christmas Shoppe also carries a nice selection of collectible Santas (including Possible Dreams), stockings, angels, table-top figurines, Christmas florals and wreaths.

Donna and Marty are about to enter into their 16th year of owning The Greenhouse Shoppe.

"Marty grew up in the greenhouse business in Medina County," Donna said. "We grew plants for our wholesale business for three years.

"Since I have a background in business, I handle that part of our operation, plus I'm in charge of the artistic side. In fact, that's how we came up with the name for our shop. Marty always wanted a greenhouse, and I thought I would like a shop!"

The Felicianos purchased their shop in the month of November, and since "there wasn't much gardening going at that time of year, and there were bills to be paid," Donna said they decided to start out with the Christmas Shoppe, and they've never looked back. It just gets better and better as time goes along.

Not only is The Greenhouse Shoppe busy during the holiday season, but in the spring, summer and fall, you'll see gardeners busily coming and going. This is the place to find spring bulbs, herbs, seeds (both packaged and bulk), onion sets, seed potatoes, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, J.P. Roses, water-garden plants, foliage plants and premium-quality hanging baskets, as well as a large selection of quality nursery stock.

Fertilizers and other supplies to help your gardens grow are also on hand, as well as peat moss and mulches.

Many items to make your garden look attractive are also available, such as concrete stepping and edging stones, arbors, trellises and a large array of pottery, statuary and fountains.

Head to The Greenhouse Shoppe for all your holiday decorating needs, and then remember, when it's time to plant your garden, make a return trip. You'll find it's definitely the place to go.

The Greenhouse Shoppe, 3649 Cleveland Rd. (SR 3), Wooster, OH 44691, (330) 345-5300. Nov. hours: weekdays, 9:30-6, Sat., 9:30-5. Dec. hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30-7:30, Sun., 1-5. Opens in the spring, Feb. 13 and continues thru Christmas Eve, w/ regular hours: weekdays, 9:30-6, Sat., 9:30-5.