The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Weston’s newest business, Appalachian Oddities, located on Main Avenue. Owners Dawn Hensil and Katy Perrine began planning the business over one year ago after attending a paranormal vendor show.
“It started there, and it grew,” Hensil said.
The store lives up to its name, with obscure items once lost to history and contemporary pieces like jewelry and books. There are also items on display from Appalachian Glass, Mountaineer Military Museum, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Museum of American Glass in West Virginia, Weston Town Hub, Ember Arts, and Lambert’s Winery.
“If you have a business you’d like display some items for, get in contact with us. We would love to include you,” the owners stated on their social media page.
Hensil said many items they have obtained from auctions and yard sales. Others have been given to them. The store specializes in items that come from the Appalachian region and elsewhere.
Perrine and Hensil met at TALA, where they worked as paranormal tour guides. They both shared the same dream, which has now become reality.
Those in attendance for the ribbon cutting — including Lewis County commissioners; Weston Vice Mayor Sherry Rogers; County Administrator Cindy Whetsell; Rhett Dusenbury, field representative for Congressman Alex Mooney; Chamber Board member Angie Cedeno, and others — praised Perrine and Hensil for opening Appalachian Oddities in Lewis County.
Whetsell told the owners that their vision and investment are to be commended.
“Please know you’ll see all of us shopping [here],” Whetsell said.
Proclamations were read by Rogers and Commissioners Agnes Queen and Rod Wyman. Letters from Mooney and Gov. Jim Justice were also read, offering support and congratulations to Hensil and Perrine on their business venture.
Appalachian Oddities store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Sundays by appointment.
The website is www.appalachianodditieswv.com, and the phone number is 304-997-8597.
The store is located at 468 Main Avenue in Weston.