Wixs-N-Stixs of Irvington

Wixs-N-Stixs of Irvington

New Washington Street shop offers candles and gifts

by Sue Wiltz

Larry Snyder and Chris Miller opened their Poorman’s Mowers and Small Engines shop at 5533 E. Washington St. four years ago because they were tired of being ripped off. With more than 40 years of combined experience, the father-and-son team has been growing their repair and used equipment business ever since.

Now it’s their wives’ turn. On Aug. 1, Larry’s wife, Connie, and Chris’s wife, Darlene, opened a new shop next door to Poorman’s Mowers at 5529 E. Washington St. Instead of lawn mowers, chain saws and blowers, though, they’re selling candles, dried and silk flowers and other gifts in their new store, Wixs-N-Stixs of Irvington. “My daughter-in-law likes candles a lot,” says Connie, a longtime Irvington resident. “She has them everywhere in her house. I love them, too.”

Prices range from 99 cents for a candle to $75 for some floral arrangements. In addition, the shop offers a wide variety of diffusers and aromatherapy candles, oil burners, planters and potpourri, home d’ecor and other artwork. Connie and Darlene are also planning to offer homemade ornaments and other decorations for the holidays, such as Halloween and Christmas. “I can’t wait to decorate for Christmas,” Connie says. “It’s my favorite time of year.”

While the Millers and Snyders live near the shop, with the Millers living on North Ritter Avenue and the Snyders residing at South Butler Avenue, both Connie and Darlene work full-time for Wal-Mart’s return center, Excel. Which means they’re juggling schedules in order to keep the store open six days a week, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“Stop in and see us for conversation, candles and gifts,” says Connie, who hopes to one day leave her business -— as well as her husband and son’s — to the next generations. Helping in the shop will be Connie’s daughter, Cheyenne, and Darlene’s daughter, Casie. “We want to be able to take care of our customers and keep them coming back.”