For the past eight years, Judy Melillo, the owner of Apple Country Farm & Craft Market, has been delighting her customers with one of the most eclectic collections of crafts in Northeast Ohio. She and her husband purchased Apple Country when it was 14 years old and only consisted of two rooms that were not connected. Customers would find it necessary to actually go outside to enter their second room which was in an old barn! The lighting in the barn room was provided via extension cords that were tied to the rafters with 3 light bulbs hanging from them. The first thing that Judy and her husband did was to connect the two buildings, refinish the barn room by adding real walls and a ceiling, and naturally, they updated the lighting system! The next two years saw the addition of the basement that now houses Santa's Workshop, the staircase, and the fireplace. While all of this construction was in the works, Judy was busy building her network of crafters.

Apple Country presently has the handiwork of over 50 crafters on display featuring such items as floral and home accents, garden statuary, Amish picnic tables and swings, gourmet coffees, jellies, jams, popcorn, apples, cider, corn, pumpkins, and ice cream! They have country, modern, contemporary, and Victorian crafts of all types. You'll also find collectibles, inspirational items, flags of all sizes, wrought iron flag poles, and in the spring and summer they stock many garden items. To help them keep track of such a diverse and expansive inventory, every item in the store has been added to their computerized listing of merchandise. To make your shopping experience as convenient as possible, they'll be pleased to ship your selections right to your home.

Each year, Apple Country hosts Santa's Workshop that features half hour visits with Santa. Mrs. Claus starts by gathering the children together in front of the fireplace and tells them that they'll tip toe down the staircase and on the count of three, they'll all shout "Ho! Ho! Ho!" to surprise Santa while he's working. The children see Santa cutting wood and building toys while Mrs. Claus explains to the little ones that Santa is busy making toys for Christmas. Each child gets to sit on Santa's lap and then each one gets to help Santa put a wheel on their own toy. Mrs. Claus personalizes their toy for them by burning their name on it. After all of the toy making is completed, there's time for the children to ask Santa questions and for the parents to take pictures. Finally, Santa tells them a story and reminds them that if they're not in bed early on Christmas eve, he just flies on by without stopping. This wonderful experience is available for the modest fee of $7.00 per child and does require a reservation in advance.

Judy loves visiting with her customers and takes pride in the fact that Apple Country has the feel of a real country gift shop rather than the typical mall-type craft store. When you're looking for just that right item to spruce up your home or if your little ones are in need of a visit with Santa, check out the offerings from Apple Country Farm & Craft Market. While you're there, don't forget to tell them that The Advocate sent you!

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