How Heritage Village Began...

Over the years, the changes of Heritage Village, has been like the changing of the fall leaves. Many different, colorful, creative, businesses, has been a part of this charming Village for over 25 years, with Toni Chatman and I being one of them. Our business was in the building that was originally known as the "Livery Stable" and was located where the Café on the Avenue and MezMerEYES sit today. This Country Gift Shop was called "Simple Country Pleasures." I am sharing this because I swore I would never get into the retail business again. Well guess what, I lied, many many years later, here I am giving it a try again with family and friends in the Heritage House. Being in this position again can only take me back to the beginnings of how this all began. I thought it might be of interest to you who has been here in the past, so I am going to start with the Heritage House for this November 2010 Newsletter. Hope you enjoy!

In 1982, 26 years ago, my brother and his wife (Huey and Kathy Tolle) took on their first challenge at

renovating a Historic Home in the heart of Historic Downtown Crystal River. This late 1800 treasure had very special meaning to our family. It was our ancestor's home place...a piece of our history that we did not want to lose or forget. It was at this location that my grandmother (Edna Eubanks Barco) was born in the front bedroom. It was also at this home that the first automobile, in Crystal River, was owned by our great grandfather that lived there. This family home was best known of my generation as being where the local children came for piano and voice lessons from Mrs. Ada B. Edwards (our Aunt B). For these reasons and many more...this home place was an important piece history that we wanted to preserve, but also use in a unique way to help keep their memory and the historic downtown alive.

After renovations took place, a charming Country Gift Shop was born and ready for Business in the Heritage House in 1983. To Kathy and Huey's surprise, their new beginnings did not stop at just the

creation of the Heritage House, but they also found out they were expecting their third child, a daughter Jessica Jean Tolle. Being a full time mom of 3 made her realize that running a business at this time was going to have to take a back seat to motherhood. This is when Patty Williams approached them about putting in a Quilt shop in this Historic Treasure. Patty ran the quilt shop for many years and during her stay, another wonderful business decided to join her in July of 1986, by putting in "Cobble Stone Alley Antiques" in the original home of the Crystal River Library next door. Dot and her late husband, Rob Koehler, ran their wonderful Antique shop for a few years in this small cottage until Patty moved on to new opportunities with quilting, leaving the Heritage House to become the home of Dot and Robby's Antique shoppe, Cobblestone Alley Antiques. Dot was in the Village until 2002, leaving after her husband passed away. She did return, after a few years, working for Diana and Betsy at the Cotton Club and La Te Da. She now works part time for "All About Nature" in the Blue Cottage on Citrus Avenue. Dot was and still is the Grandmother figure of Heritage Village in my eyes ... she has always been so passionate about us and still is!

After Dot closed, the Heritage House has had a number of tenants. I will be honest, I may of forgotten some of the businesses & names but do recollect most... Downstairs they were: The Stork Shop (a Maturity & Children's Shop); another Antique shop called Heritage House Antiques; followed by Mary

Beth's Bridal & Formal Wear; the most recently being "All About Nature". The latter two still are still located in Heritage Village area. Upstairs has housed a few specialty shoppes as well through time, such as Antiques, Vintage Clothing and Antiques, Designer Glass Studio by Rose Mary, The Village office twice, Poe House Books for many years, The Paper Room and Classic Arts & Frame Shoppe in recent times.  

These Cottages are available for rent.

You may also find this page on our website at www.theshoppesofheritagevillage.com/couponsandsavings.html