Dresden’s Main Street is on a comeback with obvious growth over the past year and a half. In 2019 at least six empty storefronts became occupied with new businesses. The summer of 2019 brought three totally unique shops including The Patio Shops (handcrafted baskets, pottery, and accessories by Longaberger), New Found Treasures (sports cards & memorabilia, antique and vintage glassware, pottery, and other collectibles), and The Farm Table (a quaint gift shop with rustic charm). To top an already amazing year for retail in Dresden, Dresden & Company. (handcrafted baskets and other accessories for the home) opened their Welcome Center on Main Street in the fall. All of these new businesses provide shopping opportunities which in turn is helping Dresden bounce back closer to the tourist destination it once was.
Just about a year prior, in 2018, shop owners Ronnie Rhoades and Robert Hamel expanded their business which they originally opened in Dresden in 2016 to a larger location at 405 Main Street. Smore Baskets offers more than just baskets with its expansive inventory of gift items, home decor and even individual rooms full from floor to ceiling catering to each holiday.
Ronnie and Robert split their time between Dresden and Maryland where they started their first store in the Perryville Outlet Center.
It was during the early days of running a business that Robert’s dad suggested that he should open a Christmas store. The idea stuck with Robert and he and Ronnie have made that wonderful suggestion a reality.
Smore Christmas opened its doors in Dresden in October 2020! The beautiful colonial-style building that has sat vacant for the past 12 years is now brimming with stockings, ornaments, gift wrap, lights, cards, decorations, decor, gifts, and everything you can imagine for Christmas. The main floor is all open to shopping which allows for about 1500 square feet all dedicated to Christmas.
Why a Christmas shop? The answer is simple… “Every small town needs a Christmas Store,” explained Ronnie.
Smore Christmas is located at 508 Main Street in Dresden. They are open year-round. The current hours are Thursday through Sunday 10 am – 5 pm or by appointment. The shop can be reached at 740-565-4108. You can find both stores on Facebook at facebook.com/SmoreBaskets.
Caption: The owners of Smore Baskets in Dresden, Ronnie Rhoades, Robert Hamel, and their dog Molly, stand in front of their new Christmas shop, Smore Christmas.
