THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411120064
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CAROLE O'KEEFFE, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
If YOU'RE LOOKING for treasures, you might find them at 115 N. Main St.
Victoria's Treasures has opened at that location.
Owners Tracy M. and Michael A. Hazelwood had been looking for a business of their own for several years.
``But either they took too much of our time or too much money all at once,'' Tracy Hazelwood said.
With this business, a 2,500-square-foot Christian gift shop, they set their own hours, leaving time to spend with each other and with Victoria, their 18-month-old toddler, for whom the store was named.
``When we thought about the two things we loved most, it was our daughter, Victoria, and our heavenly treasures. So we called it Victoria's Treasures,'' Tracy Hazelwood said.
Their heavenly treasures she recounts as, ``God and everything He has done in our lives, for the treasures that await us in Heaven. We can't conceive but can only dream about how wonderful they actually are.''
In the meantime, their business has become a sort of ministry.
Customers have said how nice it is to be able to go into a store and find wholesome gifts.
While the store carries Bibles and other religious books, those are not the main focus.
Items sold are Angel Kiss Sweets, which Hazelwood says are ``wonderful and heavenly decadent,'' in such offerings as macadamia or almond crabs (like turtles, but big as a fist), white chocolate bark, dark chocolate almond bark and coconut bark.
The couple felt they had to try each and every chocolate so they would be able to tell customers what each is like. She ate so many of them she is no longer interested, she said.
She also has Roman Christian collectibles like Jesus and angel figurines in resin, porcelain and some bisque; also rosaries.
She carries Bradford Exchange Christian plates that are used for display; sterling silver necklaces with crosses, angels, Bibles and Noah's Ark figures; and Vernon Wilson Christian pins and necklaces in pewter and sterling.
In the apparel line, the store has T-shirts and sweatshirts for adults and youngsters.
Prices range from as low as 50 cents for a single chocolate to about $100 for a collector's plate. ``We have plenty in between,'' too, Hazelwood said.
In between includes merchandise for anniversaries and weddings: picture frames, collectible wedding cake toppers, several styles of music boxes, Carolina candles and Russ stuff animals.
``Christians are people too, and deserve a nice gift shop that caters to their needs,'' she said.
One customer said it was a pleasure to buy from the shop because of the wholesome stock. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Tracy Hazelwood's stock includes figurines and other gift items. She
and husband Michael named the shop for their toddler, Victoria.
by CNB