ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210005
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
Pieces from the Market Street Collection from Brandywine Woodcrafts are available at The Gift Niche on the City Market.
The Mill Mountain Star, part of the Landmark Series, can be found at Heironimus Great Additions.
Two of Roanoke's best-known spots, available in the Landmark Series, are the Hotel Roanoke (left) and the Coffee Pot (front right).
St. Andrews Catholic Church is especially popular with collectors of the Landmark Series.|
Taking home a favorite piece of Roanoke or the surrounding area is easy, with at least three choices in this shopping area: Cat's Meow Village Collectibles, the Landmark Series and Brandywine Woodcrafts.
The Cat's Meow pieces from Leggett are wooden replicas of building fronts and accessories, such as trees or signs. In addition to collections such as the Green Gables Series or Great Americans Series, there are local pieces.
"Hotel Roanoke is a good starter piece," said Stephanie Smith, a Leggett sales associate. "It's popular now, because of the hotel's reopening."
"The Mill Mountain Star and St. Andrews are also good pieces because they are visible from Interstate 581," said Sharon Leavelle, another sales associate.
Some other popular pieces are Jefferson High School and Salem Presbyterian Church.
Collecting Cat's Meow pieces is something people can do all year, said sales associate Barbara Zimmer.
"There's always a little black cat on every piece," Zimmer said. "Look for it in windows, on doorsteps or on fence posts or in trees."
What can you do with them? Put one or more on chair rails, steps, door frames or tables. They make thoughtful additions to gift baskets. Or just tie a ribbon around one.
If you just want to wrap it up and put a tag on it, Leggett wraps gifts for free.
Collectors may pick up a form at Leggett and join the Cat's Meow collectors club.
Brandywine Woodcrafts from The Gift Niche on the City Market are similar to Cat's Meow pieces. Both wooden building fronts feature shapes of popular landmarks. The Market Street pieces are most similar to area landmarks.
Pieces may be personalized with names from local favorites or any name desired. Wertz Country Store, Mason & Hannabass and Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea are popular with local customers.
For those searching for more local collectibles, the Landmark Series of three-dimensional resin buildings from Heironimus Great Additions might be appealing.
"People buy Landmark Series pieces for many reasons: some who have always lived here, leave and want to buy a piece of Roanoke, some move out of Roanoke, some work in the buildings or schools and have fond memories of the places," store manager Lisa Graham said.
The collection of buildings includes popular local landmarks such as Hotel Roanoke, Jefferson High School and the Roanoke County Courthouse. New for 1996 is Mill Mountain Star, Mill Mountain Playhouse, N&W Train Station and Salem's Longwood Home.
Also in the collection are water globes, Christmas ornaments and a St. Andrews Catholic Church that lights up. The best sellers are Texas Tavern, St. Andrews, Hotel Roanoke and Mabry Mill.
Graham said to check with the stores, because new buildings are added every year and some are retired. This year Jefferson High School and some others will be discontinued.
Heironimus also carries 100 percent cotton throws with popular area scenes, featuring the Roanoke Valley - including separate throws for Roanoke, Salem and Fincastle - Franklin County, the New River Valley and Lynchburg.
Remember, most collections start with one piece, often a gift that signifies a special place such as a school, college or university, favorite store or place of employment.
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. Pieces from the Market Street Collection fromby CNBBrandywine Woodcrafts are available at The Gift Niche on the City
Market. 2. The Mill Mountain Star, part of the Landmark Series, can
be found at Heironimus Great Additions. 3. Two of Roanoke's
best-known spots, available in the Landmark Series, are the Hotel
Roanoke (left) and the Coffee Pot (front right. 4. St. Andrews
Catholic Church is especially popular with collectors of the
Landmark Series.