By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

BUCYRUS — The historic Victorian-style home, located at 432 E. Rensselaer St., was purchased by Holly Pappas nearly three years ago and she has joined forces with the first friend she made in Bucyrus, Brenda Hariton, to open the downstairs area of her home for shoppers to purchase the products of local artisans and crafters.

“My husband and I always planned to open craft business. I worked in the banking industry and raised a family but had been doing crafts for 25 years,” Pappas said.

Pappas, who is from the Columbus area, said after a deal to purchase a country church fell through, she searched online for a home to purchase and found the Mader house.

“This house is perfect. I knew it was the one. George would have loved it,” Pappas said of her husband who died in 2014.

The residence was once the home of William Mader, the first fire chief of the city of Bucyrus.

Mader became the fire chief when he was still in his teens and stayed in his position until he retired, 65 years later, on July 1, 1953.

“He had the longest run as the fire chief of anyone so far,” Pappas said.

Pappas has the wedding apparel William and his wife wore on their wedding day on April 23, 1890, on display in one of the many showrooms of her store.

“Jan Heckenhauer, who married George Heckenhauer, grandson to Mr. and Mrs. Mader, donated this wonderful priceless piece of Bucyrus’s history,” Pappas said.

Pappas and Hariton contract with local crafters and artists to sell their products along with their own creations.

“I offer several items including my electric candles,” Pappas said. “We have 850 square feet of vendor space showcasing the work of local artisans, handmade crafts and collectibles.”

Hariton creates Shabby Chic items along with a multitude of others such as Mixed Media and Steam Punk.

“I enjoy creating different types of pieces that appeal to a variety of people,” Hariton said.

The pair has contracted with other artists and crafters from the community, such as art work by Sandy Laipply and Ann and John Schultz.

“We have about 16 crafters and artists so far,” Pappas said. “We have pieces from primitive to Victorian. I also offer items that are hard to fine in the surrounding area such as Pip Berry Garland and Wreaths, Cinnamon rose hips and Chestnut and Brown Sugar Potpourri.”

The Mader House is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A ribbon cutting by the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce will take place Friday at 11 a.m.

“There will be firefighters here for the ribbon cutting, which is so fitting because of William Mader,” Pappas said.

The event is open to the public and each person visiting the store Friday will receive a free star votive candle.

For more information, visit The Mader House Facebook page.