Tracy’s Delightfuls Moves to Houghton

Less than a fifteen minute walk from anywhere on campus to Route 19, students may encounter Tracy’s Delightfuls. This family run gift shop arrived in the town of Houghton this past December. The store was originally located in Rushford, where owner Tracy Schieb and her husband, John Schieb, opened the business in June of 2012, fulfilling a lifelong dream to own a gift shop. The move to Houghton brought them a much appreciated quiet atmosphere and a larger venue. John Schieb wryly described the Rushford location as, “smaller than the room we’re standing in.” The larger venue has given them a chance to expand their merchandise, including the addition of fresh cut flowers.

The front lawn is dotted with floral arrangements, including the sign. Inside the store, cream-colored walls are covered with bright, vibrant scarves, fingerless gloves, and an assortment of candles, mugs, and trinkets cover display tables. A pleasant scent drifts through the room, specifically the grape scent of a Northern Lights Candle.

The couple’s dedication and love for what they do becomes immediately clear upon inspection of the store. John Schieb’s woodwork can be found throughout the store, including birdhouses and antique windows transformed into decorative pieces. For their own use they have a organizational bulletin board behind the cash register. The work of Tracy’s mother is present as well, including the scarves, fingerless gloves, cowls, and quilts. John Schieb mentioned, with a grin, “about ninety-percent” of their lives revolve around the store. First year, Carina Martin, noted that Tracy, “genuinely cares about her customers.”

Family is not the only unique resource of Tracy’s Delightfuls. A shelf displays ceramic work by Naomi Woolsey and Kat Straus for sale, as well as Melissa Fink’s bracelets. Amish made bracelets and bells are displayed in the front. As a general philosophy, Tracy Schieb noted they try to support locally made products. Their new cookie cutters, for example, are made in Vermont, the Northern Lights candles are New York based, and Seacoast Florist of New Hampshire supplies their fresh cut flowers.

Tracy’s Delightfuls offers several benefits for Houghton students. There is a fifteen percent off discount for students who present their IDs. “I remember what it was like to be a college student,” Tracy Schieb said with a smile, “and that every penny counts!” Tracy’s Delightfuls also allows parents to order and ship to the college. Nationwide shipping allows students to do the same for their parents or siblings, a benefit especially fitting for the upcoming holiday season.

In the near future, Tracy’s Delightfuls will open its doors for the Harvest Festival, with a focus on autumn. The fall scents of the Northern Lights candles and the new Vermont made cookie cutters will be displayed. Tracy Schieb noted that pumpkins will hopefully have arrived as well.

Tracy’s Delightfuls offers a wide range of gifts for any season, with quirky mugs (“Fishing- if it was easy it would be called catching”), accessories and candles, and animal themed cowls. There is also a large selection of current seasonal items. “I seriously love these pumpkins!” Martin laughingly commented in reference to a set of painted wooden pumpkins. The careful detail and local involvement is reflected in the wide range of “delightful” gifts.

Tracy’s Delightfuls is located on 9726 Route 19, across from China Star. They are open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Debit cards, MasterCard, Personal Checks, and Visa are accepted.

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