They say things get better with age. If that's true, The Parsley Pot, located in the beautiful countryside just east of Ashland, must be just about perfect by now!
For 30 years, Don and Sally Dilgard have been pouring their hearts and souls -- not to mention their creative talents -- into their wonderful business. Their shop is located in a beautiful, old bank barn built in the mid-1800s and is often described as a "bit of New England in Ohio." The building itself just radiates warmth and charm. Old mercantile counters and glass cases lend to the shops rustic atmosphere. In fact, the Dilgards still use an old-fashioned cash register.
"People are amazed we still use it," Sally said. "It works for us, so why change?"
The business began as a way for Sally to share her love for herbs. Her beautiful, old-fashioned herb garden is located behind the barn, and the plants -- now 30 years old -- are still thriving.
At The Parsley Pot, you'll find the most wonderful array of herbs and herb plants (in season, of course), gifts and items to both beautify and use in your home.
"I worked as a florist," Sally said, "and Don taught horticulture at Ashland High School, so this all came about quite naturally. We really know our products."
At first, The Parsley Pot was the only local retailer for herbs, herb plants and dried flowers. The Dilgards' expertise helped the business grow and grow. Over time, the loft areas were fixed up to give more display area. Now, when you step inside the barn, you are greeted by beautiful creations from floor (wonderful, old wooden planks) to ceiling (clear to the rafters).
Seasonal items still remain the biggest sellers at The Parsley Pot. Thirty years ago, however, the Christmas season didnt begin until Thanksgiving weekend (how times have changed!). Now the Christmas Openhouse is always the last weekend of October, giving customers lots of time to stock up on goodies for Christmas (not to mention items for Thanksgiving). I came away with a fantastic garland of red jingle bells -- they actually make a nice tinkle sound -- that will look, and sound, great on the pine and hemlock swag on my front door this Christmas!
Sally specializes in floral design fresh, dried or silk. She does custom work (bring your own wreath or container, if you like), including parties and weddings. She'll work with you to make an arrangement perfectly suit you. Gorgeous wreaths line the barn-wood interior of the shop, just begging to be taken home to beautify someone's home!
Gifts of food are always popular (hey, we all eat, don't we?), and at The Parsley Pot, you'll find a nice selection of food items, including Wind Willow (cheese ball mixes), Lollipop Tree, and Country Home Creations (dip mixes and cheese spreads). The Dilgards' own herbs and spices are also available. Fireside Coffee and Rothschild Farm's gourmet jellies, preserves, mustards and dips add to the list, as do Boswell's dips, dressings, teas and coffee. Varieties of candies are also available. According to Sally, many adults, who frequented The Parsley Pot as children, now bring their children back to enjoy the stick candy.
"And very popular, especially during the fall and winter, are our Aspen Mulling Company mulling spices, hot cocoa and spiced cocoa," Sally said.
During the holiday season, you can sample "some type of food" daily, Sally said. Maybe you'll need to come back often in order to taste it all!
Although the Beanie Baby craze has calmed a bit, the shop still sells a complete line of Ty products (they're still a good plush product at a reasonable price), including a cuddly new line, "Love to Baby" -- for the very young, but "so soft," adults buy them too, Sally said.
Williamsburg Candles and Suzy Zoo stationery products are two popular brand names available at The Parsley Pot. There are so many other things it's nearly impossible to mention them all, so you're going to have to go check this place out for yourself!
Be sure to make The Parsley Pot one of your destinations when getting ready for the upcoming holidays. Youll be delighted in what you find there, and you'll be happy you went.
Be sure to tell Sally and Don you read this in Amish Heartland magazine!
The Parsley Pot -- 697 County Road 1302, Ashland, OH 44805, (419) 281-7514; hours: Tue. thru Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., noon-5 p.m. (closed Mon.).