Numerous visitors to the village of Dresden have been peering into the windows of the shops in the 600 block of Main Street wondering when or if the contents inside would be available for purchase. The wait is finally over and the doors to the Patio Shops will be unlocked and open to the public once again.
JRJR Networks (prior to filing for bankruptcy last year) had moved all of Longaberger’s inventory and equipment from the Homestead in Frazeysburg to buildings owned by Jim Lepi in Dresden Ohio. One of these properties was the famous Patio Shops, a four-storefront shopping destination in the center of the village. The shops were only open for a couple months before the sudden and unexpected shutdown of JRJR Networks which effected all assets including the Longaberger Company.
Since that time all of the products that were made and ready for customers have been sitting in the shops as well as in storage awaiting the time when they would be available to be sold again.
After a long wait, Jim Lepi is reopening the Patio Shops to make all of the Longaberger products available to collectors and shoppers starting Thursday, September 5, 2019 during their soft opening. The hours for the shops will be from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. Shoppers will receive a 20 percent discount off already reduced prices for a limited time and an additional savings for bus tours.
There is quite a bit of inventory in the Patio Shops and plenty of other shopping destinations to enjoy including these must-stop basket and gift shops: Humble Heart, Smore Baskets, Dresden’s Baskets and More, The Basket Guy, Needful Things, New Found Treasures, Stacy’s Baskets, The Farm Table and Miller’s Emporium. While you are visiting make sure to stop for a meal at one of Dresden’s great locally owned restaurants including the Warehouse Dresden, 1340 Cafe, Scottie’s Den, or The Dresden Tavern.
It will be nice to know that these timeless Longaberger pieces will be finding their way to homes to be enjoyed and cherished for years to come.
