Burgess shop provides link to Pennsylvania Dutch country
If you're interested in acquiring quality-made, Amish style solid wood furniture, it won't be necessary to drive all the way to Pennsylvania Dutch country. Just head for Burgess, and Gift's &GaJett's, on Route 360. The popular gift shop has become the area's leading source of Amish, hand-crafted furniture.
“An Amish man from Maryland went with me to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area and introduced me to several Amish craftsmen. We have gone back on a regular basis to buy furniture and many other beautiful items they make,” said Mitchell Jett, owner of Gifts & GaJetts.
Mitchell and his employees, Phyllis Swift, Nancy Young and Jayne Magerko, regularly make buying trips to Pennsylvania. They go from farm to farm, where different craftsmen specialize in different items.
“One farm might specialize in building wood furniture. Another might specialize in building model light houses, or other crafts. The Amish are a very creative and industrious people, and we're happy to be able to offer their products to the people of the Northern Neck,” Mitchell said.
As you may know, the Amish don't believe in electricity or other modern conveniences, so how can they turn out so much fine furniture? As with everything, there are loopholes.
“The Amish craftsmen do their work with air-powered tools that used propane. They don't have electric lights, but they have gas lights,” Phyllis explained.
Gifts & GaJett's is in a restored two story farm house that it full of tantalizing treasures. The store has been in its present location only since 2002, after moving from a one-room store in Heathsville.
“I knew we had outgrown our Heathsville location when I lost my office,” Mitchell laughed.
“We started out doing gift baskets, candles and some furniture, but we've gotten to the point where we are furnishing and decorating entire rooms,” Phyllis said.
Gifts & GaJetts has also become famous for its “furry animals,” life-like replicas of dogs, cats and birds. Visitors and local residents alike have been buying these maintenance-free pets as fast as Gifts & GaJetts can stock them. And there are many other gift items as well, representing a wide price range.
“I like to say that we have something for everyone, with merchandise ranging in price from $5 to $5,000,” Phyllis said.
The store started as Mitchell's hobby, but has quickly grown into something far larger. It's clear that this Northern Neck native wants to provide something special to his community.
“I want this to be a place where local people, as well as visitors, like to come to shop, to buy something nice for their home or a special present for someone,” he said.
Gifts & GaJetts is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call them at 453-5400.
